THAMES Rugby Club thumped Thurrock 4s 60-12 as they continued to impress in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Division Four.

In their first home match of the season, Thames scored 60 points and they started well as Mark O’Connell steamed over the Thurrock try line after just 60 seconds.

Thurrock replied with a try of their own nine minutes later, but the scoreline didn’t stay level for long.

Max Clarke outpaced three Thurrock chasers to dot down, Matt Vallis then wrong-footed the Thurrock defence to score, with Lee Cairns claiming his first points from the T shortly afterwards.

O’Connell and Jack Egar also scored for Thames as the lead continued to grow, with Cairns having no trouble with the conversion.

Clarke scored again, with Cairns adding two extra points to make it 31-5 at half-time.

The second half saw Thames putting more pressure on the Thurrock try line and it wasn’t long before Edgar Juska charged over from a penalty move, giving the home side their sixth try.

Luke Edwards scored before the hosts were reduced to 14 men, although Thurrock’s frustration was also showing as two men were shown yellow cards.

Matthew Hook dived over the line for his first senior try at scrum half and the 14 men weren’t finished yet.

Kyle Munro added the ninth try before both teams were restored to 15-a-side.

But Thames continued to strive for double-figures in terms of try scoring and O’Connell brought up the landmark to complete a memorable day’s work.

>Thurrock were beaten 28-17 in London One South as their start to the season continued to cause concern.

The defeat was Thurrock’s fifth in six games.