CANVEY Island won through to the final of the Presidents Shield with a hard fought victory over Essex Two rivals Burnham-on-Crouch.

Both sides found it hard to conjure flowing rugby as the strong wind made kicking and lineouts a virtual lottery.

However, despite the weather handicap, the Islanders opened the scoring with a long range penalty from Brett Smith.

Burnham battled hard and prevented Canvey from adding to the score for 20 minutes, before centre Alex Breading used his strength to charge over the line with defenders hanging off him.

The Tewkes Creek outfit scored again 10 minutes later as man of the match Brett "Fergie" Furbach charged down an attempted clearance and his back row partner Smith added the touch down.

As the teams changed ends, Burnham battled hard to break down the outstanding Canvey defence, which proved to be a futile exercise, until a handling error by the Islanders let the visitors in for a break-away try five minutes from time.

After the game proud Canvey captain Dave Gillespie said: "The team put in an outstanding effort despite the difficult conditions and thoroughly deserved the victory".

Canvey will face Essex Three leaders Writtle Wanderers in the final, which is set to be held at Old Brentwoods' ground, after they eased past Rayleigh Wyverns 55-6 in their semi final.