MISTLEY 20

MERSEA ISLAND 74

Eastern Counties Greene King League division two south

MERSEA Island finished a memorable season with a big win at Mistley.

The promotion-winning Islanders, who will play in the Essex Canterbury Jack League One next season after winning the title, fielded a very strong side for their final match of the season.

Despite a spirited show from Mistley the hosts were unable to match Mersea's physicality and pace and by half-time, the game was already won.

However, Mistley deserve credit for not allowing their heads go down.

Mersea's impressive statistics for the season show they won 14 of the 16 games they have played in the league.

They boast a points difference of +411 with a total league points tally of 69, ten points clear of runners-up Ipswich Magpies.

Mersea Rhinos were also in action against a very committed Mistley Marauders side, at Shrublands Road.

Mersea kicked off first with a strong wind at their backs and spent much of the first half pinned in their own half.

At the turnaround, the hosts were 12-10 ahead but the visitors then started to get on top of a very stubborn Mistley pack. Their backs had the edge on their opponents and slowly made the hard won ball work for them as they ran in three converted tries to build a 31-12 advantage.

With Mersea reduced by a yellow card to 14 men, Mistley grabbed a converted try in the last quarter.

But after sealing a 31-19 victory, Rhinos were rightly happy with their final afternoon’s work of the season.