Thurrock saw their hopes dashed amid a sea of yellow cards.

Tees were on top 9-6 and pressing after the break when they were handed three successive sin-binnings by the lady referee.

And Bank immediately cashed in with a glut of late tries to steal the points from under Thurrock's nose.

Director of Rugby Tim Hughes said: "We played really well but we couldn't handle all those yellow cards.

"The lads were knackered at the end.

"It's a shame because we were by far the better side in the first half."

Thurrock's trio of yellow cards went to Damian Burns, Paul Stanes and Mark Fford.

Their nine points all came from the boot of Wayne Tredwell.

Published Tuesday, January 14, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo