STANFORD-LE-HOPE 39

CLACTON 19

Essex League division one

CLACTON completed their first phase of league fixtures with a disappointing defeat.

Max Swift recorded a hat-trick of tries for the Seasiders and Elliott Shuttleworth converted two of them, but it was the home side who capitalised on mistakes made by the visitors to record only their second win of the season.

Clacton now await the dates of their fixtures for the second phase, which will see home games against Kings Cross Steelers and Stanford-le-Hope, along with visits to Pegasus Palmerians, Billericay and Writtle Wanderers.

There was little joy for the Kestrels, either, as they conceded eight tries to Halstead Templars at Vista Road in an Eastern Counties League division three south fixture.

Nick Evans was the solitary try-scorer for the home side and the final outcome was a 51-5 defeat.

Clacton’s first team now have a week off as the league administrators work out the dates for the second part of the season.

The Kestrels have another home fixture when the University of Essex provide the opposition (2pm).