ROCHFORD 19

OLD VERULAMIANS 21

A well-deserved NPI Cup victory was snatched from Rochford's grasp by an injury time try and conversion.

Verulamians looked a spent force going into extra time with the score standing at 19-14 to Rochford.

But after some questionable refereeing decisions, Rochford found themselves on their line with a penalty awarded against them.

The visitors drove over the line for a try to level before their kicker converted to hand Verulamians a fourth-round victory.

"Although very disappointed in not putting away their opponents with the chances created in the second-half, the home side knew that they were the better team on the day, as their opponents acknowledged," said Rochford manager Graham Pratt.

"But cup rugby is all about taking the points on offer, which they failed to do."

The game started with both sides sizing each other up before Verulamians opened the scoring with a penalty.

Despite being out scrummaged by the Old Boys' big forwards, Rochford won good ball from the lineouts and the loose which allowed Jamie Banks to score his 14th try of the season.

Mark Sexton converted, but then Verulamians scored a try before Neil Cushing sped over for a try which was converted by Sexton.

Rochford seemed well in control when Ben Green scored to give them a 19-8 half-time advantage.

But with a strong wind behind them in the second period, the Old Boys exerted enough pressure for Rochford to concede to penalties to make it 19-14.

Verulamians were forced to defend desperately at times, but Rochford were unable to increase their advantage as they made uncharacteristic errors at vital times.

Those lapses were punished when Verulamians scored those match-winning seven points in injury time.

Breakaway - Rochford release the ball during their NPI Cup match against Old Verulamians

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Stephens oversees Southend downfall

BILLERICAY 22

SOUTHEND 12

Billericay were pleased to have won this friendly derby which came after a spasmodic performance from Southend.

The home team's win was ironically based on on key players who used to be at Southend especially John Stephens, whose tactical kicking kept the visitors on the back foot.

Southend failed to take advantage of strong wind in the first-half and Billericay scored a converted try just before half-time.

A further try and a penalty took the score to 15-0 which sparked Southend into life.

The Southend forwards pushed their hosts back and from this dominance Robin Doyle opened the visitors' account with a try converted by Mark Brook.

More pressure produced a try for Alistair Gavin, but it was Billericay who wrapped things up with another converted try.

Billericay's tries were scored by Neil Jarvis (two) and Adam Hudson. John Stephens converted two and also kicked a penalty.

"We were pleased to have this derby. We were better and stronger on the day," said Billericay spokesman Lisa Hudson.

"This was another game that Southend gave away with a very spasmodic performance," said Southend spokesman Geoff Sawyer.

"There was some very good rugby by Southend, but only on very few occasions."

Fourths can't handle life with the Lions

WESTCLIFF LIONS 26

THURROCK IV 12

Former Westcliff regular Roger Glithero made his first appearance for the Lions following his move to Wales and converted three tries.

His first came after Des Despres beat the cover following a kick ahead to open the scoring towards the end of the first-half.

Moments later Glithero was in action again after Lee Wilcoxson burst through for a try from close range.

Westcliff went in with a 14-0 advantage at the end of a first-half which saw Thurrock's trademark big and efficient pack pushing back their Westcliff counterparts at almost every scrum.

Thurrock piled on the pressure in the second-half and were rewarded with a try before Westcliff reasserted their command with an unconverted Lewis Harvey try following good work from Chris Tansley.

With the score standing at 19-5 this South Essex Merit League game became scrappy with both sides dropping the ball with the line beckoning.

It was Thurrock who sorted themselves out first with a converted try out on the left to bring them within five points of Westcliff.

But Westcliff stepped up a gear with Mark gibbs and Mick Redding providing good running before a swift dash saw Tansley score a try which Glithero converted.

Lapses prove costly

NEW ASH GREEN U17 0

WESTCLIFF U17 37

Westcliff's teenagers soon got the trip to Kent out of their system to get on top of New Ash Green.

The hosts have recently amalgamated with Sevenoaks, but their combined strength was no match for their visitors.

Skipper-for-the-day Lewis Harvey started the ball rolling with a try that came at the end of a good forward rush which saw Westcliff get past three players on the way to the try. Things then slowed down and the home side cam back into the game, although they did not look like scoring.

Westcliff gradually tightened their grip with tries coming from Pat Redding (two), Joe Duncombe, Darren Chapman, Simon Jones and Marlon Slater.

With most of the tries being scored far out on the wings there was little opportunity for conversions, but Michael Pitt did get one.

Thurrock warm up

THURROCK 27

IPSWICH 12

Thurrock eventually came out on top in this friendly after a poor first-half from both sides.

Steve Morritt scored a penalty and then Ben Siaw added a try which was converted by Morritt to give Thurrock a 10-5 lead at the break.

Ipswich intercepted the ball as Thurrock looked to extend their lead in the second-half and scored to bring it to 12-10.

But that only spurred the home side on and the last 30 minutes saw some excellent play in the cold conditions.

Phil Edwards scored two tries and Paul Ansell one as Thurrock kept the Suffolk side out.

One of the tries was converted by Anthony Stephen-son, who took over kicking duties after Morritt took a knock and left the field.

"It was a nice warm up for the league game away at Cheshunt next week," said Thurrock spokesman Kevin Hyman. "We needed the game to keep our momentum going and it was a reasonable win."

Ilford thrashed

CANVEY III/CLUB 66

ILFORD III 0

A mixed third and club Canvey side romped away to victory in this friendly.

Fielding a team of five Colts, six veterans and three under-20s, Canvey's makeshift front row, featuring Rob Turner at prop, proved to be more than up to the match and won plenty of good ball.

This allowed the young backs to have use their youthful speed to run round Ilford's defence and score almost at will.

Among the Canvey scorers were winger Gary Slow with four and a brace from under-20 player David Dennis. Brett Smith kicked the goals.

Canvey's first team did not play after their friendly against Romford was called off.

Colts battle through

CANVEY COLTS 17

ROCHFORD 15

The visitors only had 14 men and were unable to make a proper front row, so the sides were forced to play uncontested scrums which made for some interesting running and passing.

Canvey made hard work of this game and were unable to capitalise on their one-man advantage.

Rayleigh crushed

RAYLEIGH WYVERNS 17

THAMES 52

Rayleigh were unable to stem the tide as Thames ran up the points in this friendly match.

Rob Lagden was the Rayleigh scoring hero with a try, two conversions and a penalty. Craig Stobbs got the other five points for the home side with a try.

Smith seals Rayleigh win

RAYLEIGH II 35

SOUTHEND B 28

Andy Smith scored two tries as Rayleigh's second string triumphed in a close-fought match.

Jim Gallie, James Allen and Dave Dunsford also went over for the hosts, with Kevin Dunsford converting all five tries.

Experiment works well

OLD DARTFORDIANS 23

BASILDON 19

The new towners fielded an experimental side for this friendly in Kent and were rewarded by early domination of the game.

After bringing in some new players and varying combinations, the first 20 minutes saw Basildon take the lead through Lloyd Williams, whose try was one of the best Basildon have scored all season according to spokesman Dai Griffiths.

Matthew Tilson converted and Basildon went even further in front when Richard Dennis - a forward who had a great game along with team-mate Stuart Adams - went over.

But Basildon then rested on their laurels and allowed their hosts to score thanks to some sloppy play.

The new towners contained Dartfordians to go in 12-5 up at half-time, but were punished in the second period through mistakes which allowed the hosts to take the lead.

Basildon spent the last ten minutes camped on Dartfordians' line before Phil Foster went over on the final whistle.

"We thought we were in for a massive score the way they were playing," added Griffiths.

"But after 20 minutes we sat back and allowed them in. We should have taken care of them.

"The players knew they should have won this friendly, but there was some encouraging signs and good forward play. We are gaining in strength all the time."

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