Clacton Rugby Club crashed to a heavy 77-0 defeat at Upminster.

And with previously bottom club Billericay recording a surprise bonus-point win against Wanstead, the Seasiders find themselves back at the foot of the London League division three north east table.

Preparations for the game were far from ideal and, on the preceding Friday afternoon, it was thought that Clacton might well have to cry off. In the end, 14 players travelled to Hall Lane.

Fifteen against fourteen is always a disadvantage, and playing up the considerable Upminster slope did not help matters.

An early offside penalty allowed the home side to take the lead, and they then proceeded to run in three tries in the opening quarter of an hour.

Unfortunately, Tyler Fitzpatrick had injured himself in the pre-match warm-up and, despite the best efforts of physio Tasha Allsop, he had to be helped off the pitch.

Although down to 13, Clacton enjoyed a 20-minute period when they failed to concede a point and were inches away from scoring.

However, a three-try blast in the closing stages of the first half meant the Seasiders faced a 41-0 deficit at the turnaround.

The visitors had almost been battered into submission, and four more tries followed in the second half.

A further injury to Aaron Redpath saw the side reduced to 12 players, and the match was over as a contest.

Two more tries were recorded before the referee blew to signal the end, and a final score of 77-0.

This Saturday sees the last game of 2014 when Old Brentwood’s are the visitors.

Kick-off at Vista Road is 2pm.