Mersea Island RFC finally won their first piece of silverware in the club's 10-year history, winning the final of the Suffolk Plate.

In a tense and exhilarating final, both teams competed passionately 'til the final whistle on Sunday, with the Islanders only sealing the victory when man-of-the-match Steve Haycock crashed over for a try with five minutes left to play.

Mersea Island who play in a league above their opponents, were made to work extremely hard for every single point.

The Thurston team arrived in very determined mood, bringing a coach load of supporters and they started the match in much the same fashion.

With the wind behind them, Thurston continually tested the Mersea defence to the full.

However, the Islanders defence stood solid despite the onslaught and Thurston's only reward was a penalty kick by fly-half A Mills.

Mersea's awesome defending was a vital part of the game but they also showed glimpses of their running game, with Forest Longman breaking well up field, supported by prop Evans only an unfortunate handling error prevented a certain try.

Mersea did manage to score before half time through, when a quick tap penalty taken by scrum half Jon Williams, caught Thurston napping and dived over to lead at half time 5-3.

Thurston started the second half very sprightly but again could not turn pressure into points.

To be fair the Mersea pack again and again absorbed a huge amount of pressure in very heavy and wet conditions but never once took a backward step.

The back row of Palmer, Taylor and Haycock constantly put their bodies on the line and made some massive hits around the fringes.

Mersea used the breezy conditions to good effect and scored their second try when Bredin won some good line-out ball and Palmer crashed through for close range, Williams added the extra points with a great kick from far out.

Again Thurston came back, pressing hard up field and were rewarded with two more penalties through A Mills.

With the game hanging in the balance, Mersea clinched their famous win, when Williams again took a quick tap penalty and fed Mersea skipper Haycock to score.

Williams added the conversion and the Islanders won 19-9.

Finally, special thanks must go to all the supporters who braved the awful conditions to watch the final.

And also congratulations to Philip Morant who beat Thomas Lord Audley 12-10 to win the inaugural Mersea Island RFC Schools Challenge Trophy.

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