MERSEA Island were looking to carry on their home success in 2015 with another win against visiting third-placed Newmarket.

The home side were missing a few regular players, including captain and head coach Jon Williams, for the Eastern Counties League division one match but went on to win 37-19.

Mersea still started the game well with an upbeat tempo, playing their way into the Newmarket 22 from the start.

The pressure continued to build as players linked together well, enabling Mersea to score the first points through a try for Rob Pickard.

Newmarket, as expected, came back hard, pinning Mersea in their own 22 before scoring a converted try.

Mersea continued to pile on the pressure in the front five but a number of handling errors and a strong Newmarket defence stopped the Islanders from crossing again in the first half.

After the break, Mersea defended well, keeping out the visitors.

Then quick hands set up Eddie Smith to score one of his three tries in the game.

Matt Rose was also quickly on to the scoresheet, crossing for the first of his brace.

Smith then added another after some quick and clever thinking by fly-half Pete LeMarquand gave him the space to use his pace and go over in the corner. LeMarquand then added the conversion.

Newmarket again came at Mersea and scored a neat try to bring the score to 27-14.

However, the Islanders hit back as both Smith and Rose crossed the line again.

Newmarket scored another unconverted try but were unable to haul Mersea back.

Coach Andrew Moncur said: “This was a great performance by the lads.

“We really upped our tempo this week after last week’s loss.

“The front five really played well and gave us a firm platform to release our backs.”