Second string derby clash for scrum outfits (From Thurrock Gazette)

Stanford v Thames is a titanic rugby battle

9:48am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Sport

Stanford 2nds 38

Thames 2nds 12

RUGBY: STANDFORD’S second string travelled to South Ockendon to play borough rivals Thames in a friendly fixture. The Stanford lads performed well and showed the importance of a strong youth policy, playing four of their colts players and dominating the game. Stanford’s number ten was the first to break the goal line and scored a great try just to the left of the posts. The visiting side then made some unforced errors and allowed Thames to reply with a well worked backs try. This set-back galvanised Stanford’s resolve and the veteran forwards attacked the restart. Flanker Ryan Slaney stepped up and added the extra points. Other first half tries came from Kite and second row Matt Hornsby who smashed his way through.

In the second half the Stanford pack was dominant.

The second half saw Jared Gounden score out wide, but his points were answered by Thames number eight Greg Toohey who barged his way over the line and scored. The kick off that followed the Thames score saw Mark O’Connell – making his debut in senior rugby – catch the ball from the kick and find Charlie McCallum who dived over to score Stanfords final try. Jared Gounden slotted the easy conversion.