Peg turn league table on his head (From Thurrock Gazette)

Ilford outclassed by Palmerians

2:56pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Sport

Ilford 17, Pegasus Palmerians 24

RUGBY: IN-FORM Pegasus continue to turn the Essex League Two table on its head.

Peg produced another impressive bonus point away victory against league leaders Ilford.

The victory made it five league wins in a row – with the last three being against the top three clubs, seeing Pegasus climb from sixth place to third in the table.

Pegasus inflicted Ilford’s first home defeat of the season with a very gutsy display that left even Ilford congratulating the boys in gold and blue.

As a lot of games around the county were postponed, Peg travelled away with only a 17 man squad due to late cry offs.

As the Peg forwards met the heavier Wanderers pack head on the encounter started with hard hitting tackles and plenty of counter rucking.

The home team looked slightly confused at the game plan. But Wanderers refused to be beaten by the smaller Pegasus forwards and continued to try and power their way through.

It was then that the Ilford captain showed his concerns by electing to kick for goal after many other attempts at opting for penalty scrums and line outs. Ilford went 3-0 up, but Pegs’ confidence had grown – as they realised they could match Ilford’s power game upfront.

Following a turn over ball, Paul Cross released the two Collier brothers – playing at number 10 and 13 – where fly half Wayne beat two players. And his sibling centre Daniel ran-in under the post.

At 7-3 up, Ilford had to rely on their goal kicker to slot in another two penalties. However, another try was finished and converted by Ryan Leslie-Nunn just before half-time. And this saw Pegasus going into the second half 14-9 up.

Pegs gave Ilford hope with a silly penalty early into the half, which was happily converted once again, at 14-12 Pegasus had to endure another Wanderers onslaught. But this time their line was breached and for the first time and this time the conversion was missed.

At 17-12, the killer blow came with 20 minutes to go. Winger Ben Smith went the length of the pitch to get his team their reward. And Ilford, now trailing 19 -17 the hosts knew they had to get the win to keep their title push alive.

As Ilford concentrated on attack Pegasus exposed their defensive lapses and Daniel Collier bagged his second try of the day as the backs complete the four tries to one bonus point victory over the league leaders.

With the Six Nations starting Peg’s league action takes a break for a while. Pegs next take on Phantoms at home on February 9.