Saturday's game saw visitors Billericay score through Richard Holdgate within the first five minutes, from a line out won by Steve Clow.

However, Holdgate was injured during the process and had to leave the pitch. Maldon attacked and were awarded a penalty which was kicked.

Billericay scored again minutes later, through forward Dave Hyett, and John Steven kicked the conversion to make the score 12-3.

Maldon continued to attack the Billericay line and it was only through some outstanding defence that Maldon only managed to score one try this half.

Mark Yates did some excellent work defensively as did Gary Pearmain. Maldon's try and two further penalties meant that the score at half time was 14-12.

The strong wind meant that some of Billericay's clearance kicks were not finding touch and Maldon had many opportunities to run the ball back at a lacklustre Billericay.

In the second half Billericay started strongly with some good attacking runs from Yates and fine work from the front row.

However there was no sustained pressure from the visitors and Maldon soon had them on the back foot again.

Maldon scored again to take them seven points in front. The game was now getting scrappy and discipline was starting to break down.

The Billericay supporters were downhearted as Maldon seemed to be the stronger of the sides and it looked as if they would win.

Billericay however still had a few tricks up their sleeves and with only two minutes to go made an assault on the Maldon line.

The backs did the work this time and Andy Collings at full back, having performed well all day, finished the game with a great try following a pass from scrum half Glenn Smith.

Stevens converted the try to make the score 19 -19.

The referee was not happy to play an extra time as the light was fading. At the time of going to press, as it had not been confirmed, but Billericay understand that they have gone through to the next round with their haul of three tries to Maldon's two.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.