Basildon exciting young side face a big test of their progress on Saturday when they take on high-flying Chingford at Gardiners Close.

Chingford have scored a massive 309 points from their nine games this season, conceding merely 53 in the process, and only last weekend beat leaders Shelford 24-8 to consolidate second place. Indeed, they would be in top spot, had it not been for the deduction of two vital points by the League.

However, Basildon are handily placed in London League Three themselves, lying fifth after 10 matches.

Basildon proved they are a team hitting form at just the right time last weekend when they went to Colchester and came away with an impressive 36-8 result.

The forwards were devastating in the opening spell and it's safe to say the team could have scored a further 20 or so points.

Chingford, however, are a vastly different prospect to lowly Colchester. Griffiths rates them as " a good, well-drilled side," and the home side will be without influential skipper Gary Smith. Matthew Tilson takes over as captain.

In Division One, Thurrock play their first competitive game since the Tetley's Bitter Cup defeat at Harlequins as they head for the somewhat less glamorous environs of Havant.

Thurrock were thrashed 88-0 by the Allied Dunbar Premiership side, but are hoping to use their battling performance as the springboard to move up out of the bottom half of the table.

Thurrock will once again be without young second row star Jim Evans, who has been called up by the Harlequins under 21 side. However, Ross Edbrook steps in following some strong performances in the second side, while Paco Gay retains his place at centre after impressing in his substitute appearance against Quins.

Another club looking to build on good recent performances are Canvey Island, who belied their lowly position in London Three to deservedly beat local rivals Rochford last weekend.

They visit fellow strugglers West Norfolk but will be missing second row forward NickyPrice with a knee injury. Fellow second row man JohnCutts has a chest infection but is hoping to be fit.

Rochford, meanwhile, ring the changes as they begin the task of picking themselves up after the disappointment of the Canvey defeat against mid-table outfit Bury St Edmonds at Magnolia Road.

Mark Sexton returns at stand-off half, allowing Ben Green to move to outside centre, while David Knight retains his place on the wing following last week's promising debut as substitute for leg-injury victim Matt Barber.

Over at Southend, Dave Masden and Alan Miles are hoping for a positive start to their reign as coaching partners when the club visit Brentwood in Division Two.

Southend have only one win to their name during this campaign and Masden, a coach at Brentwood last season, will be hoping to pick up some vital points from his former club. Masden might also play but faces a late fitness test.

Evasive action - Rochford try to escape the clutches of Canvey Island during their defeat last Saturday. This weekend the Islanders travel to struggling West Norfolk while Rochford hope to return to winning ways when they host Bury St Edmonds

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Full-strength Stanford fired-up for title clash with Brentwoods

In-form Stanford-Le-Hope are hoping to take a giant step towards landing the Eastern Counties 3 League title on Saturday when they take on Old Brentwoods in a vital top-of-the-table clash.

Stanford, who won through to the sixth round of the Tetley's Bitter Vase last weekend, are dead level with Brentwoods on points and are at full strength.

Westcliff face a huge task as they take on runaway leaders Saffron Walden at The Gables. Don Faulkener's men have yet to record a League win this season and take on a side who hammered second-placed club Woodbridge 44-0 last week.

The seaside club, however, gave them quite a game last November, hitting back with 20 second-half points after Woodbridge went into the break 37-0 up.

Faulkener shakes up his squad after last week's defeat to Cantabrigian by switching Eli Mashmore to full-back in place of Nick Harry, who takes Mashmore's position at centre.

In EasternCounties One, Billericay look to end a disappointing week in style with a tough away trip at second-placed Woodbridge.

Billericay had been challenging for a top spot but have been deducted two points for accidentally fielding an unregistered player.

However, they have two games in hand on all four clubs above them.

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