South Woodham Ferrers 18, Lowestoft & Yarmouth 38

L&Y picked up their third away win of the season, with their third bonus-point victory, and in the process secured third spot in their league.

They started and finished the game with two sublime 20-minute periods of rugby, scoring three tries in each, which sandwiched a mediocre 40 minutes that allowed South Woodham to come right back into the match.

L&Y started at a rattle and Scott Nelson was soon on the scoresheet after dummying his way over down the blind side of a powerful scrum near the South Woodham line.

The home team pulled back a penalty, before Kris Nelson finished off a sustained attack by bursting off his brother’s shoulder and splitting the South Woodham midfield.

From the kick-off Steve Adams made a break through the South Woodham pack and sent Jake Titterington charging over half-way. He unloaded to Marc Thomas, and the captain drew the last man to send Josh Fewkes over in the corner.

South Woodham then came back into game as L&Y relaxed and allowed them too much possession.

They pulled back a try before half-time through their powerful left wing, then got another after the break when the fly-half skilfully miss-passed to send the left wing into the corner.

On 60 minutes a South Woodham penalty put them in front 18-17 and L&Y were staring down the barrel.

However, they suddenly re-awoke and dominated the remainder of the match.

Myles McAlone made a break, and from the resulting maul Thomas was driven over by the posts.

A huge punt by Brad Sutherland forced the South Woodham full-back to kick into midfield, where Russ Wilkinson collected and ran back, and some great offloading by Titterington and Adams sent Richard Bristo over the line.

To finish off, Nelson sent Sutherland through, then followed up to take the pop-pass and go over for his second try.

With league favourites Basildon losing at home to Newmarket, the season is starting to get interesting.

Tries: S Nelson (2), K Nelson, Fewkes, Thomas, Bristo. Conversions: Chapman (4).

Team: Newton (Bristo), Howe, Titterington, Wilkinson, Coleman, Scheijde (Powles), Adams, Thomas (captain), Chapman, S Nelson, Fewkes, K Nelson, McAlone, Taylor Crisp, Boardley (Sutherland).