EUGBY: THURROCK RFC have endured another bad week. The team found out that prop Aston Bevans-Royston was moving to pastures new, and that fly-half Ashley Meek was returning to his native Australia to study. And on top of these body blows the team lost their National Three London & South East clash 49-7 to an on form CS Rugby 1823 side.

Stand-in skipper James Flavin lost the toss in what was a gale force wind blowing straight down the pitch. The pitch was very heavy and suited the home side who had five new players among their ranks. Thurrock dug in and had got back to trailing 10-7 when two yellow cards in the last five minutes of the opening half left the team aghast.

Team mates believed that Brad Rettigan and Ashley Meek were harshly treated.

The T’s point came from Luke Crowhurst – who scored a decent try – and from Frankie Neale with the conversion.

Thurrock expected to spend most of the game in their own half. But just as they returned to full strength another card for Neale, for being adjudged to knock the ball on deliberately, hit them again. This knocked the stuffing out of the side and CS Rugby ran in five late tries for a comprhensive win. Thurrock: Barrand, Farrell, Skelton, Meek, Sullivan M, Neale, Titterton, Brunger, Carey, Keefe, Banks, Herrington Crowhuest, Flavin, Retigan. Rep Ellis, Hulse D Sullivan.

THURROCK are at home this week to Hertford.

The kick off is at 3pm.