A battling display from Essex Eels could not spare them from defeat at Luton -- and they now face an uphill struggle to make the play-offs.

But after a disastrous start, which saw the Basildon-based side trailing 28-0 after half an hour, coach Stuart Hogg was delighted with his side's fightback.

Tries from Gareth Lodge and Jimmy Meadows got them off the mark before half time, and a good start to the second stanza saw them claw their way back to 28-18 thanks to John and Rob Martin.

But the Vipers always kept their noses in front, despite John Martin going on to claim four tries.

Blair Tonkin, Rob Martin, John Hickey and Lodge also got on the score-sheet in a frantic finale but in the end there was not enough time to overhaul the poor start.

Coach Hogg said: "It is credit to the spirit of these guys that they found it in themselves to nearly win it after being dead and buried.

"Blair Tonkin was untouchable out there today, Lodgey and Gary Smith took us forward all day and Mario de Malghaes was excellent at full back.

"But in the end we lost the game and at the halfway stage we are in fourth place. We have to win all of our games now to make the Harry Jepson Trophy play-offs."

Published Friday, June 13, 2003

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