Second in the league Thurrock RFC visited Valleyside on Saturday and from the off showed why they are firm promotion favourites this season. Had it not been for poor handling their early pressure would have led to tries but a surprise move by the home team after 10 minutes  into their opponents half brought a generous penalty which was converted by Dan Boughtwood. This settled Chingford down and there followed a sustained period of end to end forays leading to another penalty to Chingford in front of the posts but unfortunately missed. After half an hour Thurrock broke the home side resistance with the first of many superb three-quarter tries adding another before half time making the score 14 – 3 at the interval.

In the second half Thurrock used their superior fitness, technique and teamwork to score 7 unanswered tries mostly converted to run out 59 – 3 winners. Chingford never gave in but they were completely outclassed by the best team seen in the league this season. The next league match is away against high flying Letchworth, when Chingford will need their many injuries to have healed and yet more resolve.