This was almost a game of two halves, with 1871 starting well, then being completely out of sorts after about 15 minutes, letting Basildon back into the half.

The first score came at 5 minutes via a lineout win and some good patient phases before Jack Hobbs (15) cut inside and Dan O’Mahony (3) crashed the ball over the line.

8 minutes later, Harry Vidler (10) slotted a penalty, having missed the conversion for the try.

The next two scores went Basildon’s way with some loose and inaccurate play from 1871 at 19 minutes, allowing Basildon’s speedster Full back and almost free reign to open up out wide and run in the ball from his own 22. Basildon also took the extra points.

The next try was a similar affair, in regards to time and space afforded to Basildon, who capitalised on this opportunity, cutting through the gaps with ease, as 1871 completely lost their way. The Basildon full back once again scoring under the sticks assuring the extra points.

To close out the half Basildon converted a penalty kick and Harry Vidler reciprocated for 1871. Keeping 1871 with their noses in front on the scoreboard.

Some honest words were had at half time and some changes were made, to rejuvenate the players.

The second half was a different story, with 1871 showing better composure, better tactical awareness and a very strong defensive set choking Basildon in virtually every set they attempted, save for their final flourish.

Harry Vidler opened the scoring with a penalty kick at 17 minutes and at 26 minutes did the same, keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

At 28 minutes after an attempted exit, Carlos Duarte (7) charged down the kick, Jack Hobbs chased the ball on, grubbered it away from the advancing Basildon defenders and scored a well earned try and extended the lead.

3 minutes later, at 31 minutes, the try of the day came and again involved Carlos Duarte, but was a real team effort. The Basildon kick-off was recovered by Phil Truscott (8), ball carried by Tim Hitchcock (1), a short box kick from Kyle Beck (9) which was left to bounce and recovered by Kyle who then stepped around a few Basildon defenders, then popped the ball up to Phil Truscott, Kyle then passed the ball out to Jack Hobbs, who passed the ball back in the opposite direction, to Carlos Duarte, who side-stepped completely wrong footing two of the Basildon defenders. The then ran through the wide space and offloaded to Harry Vidler to score.

This try put the win out of Basildon’s reach, but they were not done and fought on, showing true grit and determination to get something out of the half. They turned up the heat around the breakdown and how they moved the ball, creating some structured chaos and not allowing 1871 to settle. This created a perfect 2 on 1 in the narrow 5 metre channel and the inevitable score. A very well worked try by Basildon.