Lowestoft and Yarmouth 7, Upminster 22L&Y suffered their second consecutive loss to a lower-ranked side than themselves in only their second home loss in two years.

Lowestoft and Yarmouth 7, Upminster 22

L&Y suffered their second consecutive loss to a lower-ranked side than themselves in only their second home loss in two years.

If they do not find some inspiration, the speedy back line from Norwich will show L&Y a clean pair of heels

in this week's rescheduled Norfolk Cup match.

Quite why L&Y are struggling to find any enthusiasm for the contest is beyond director of rugby Scott Nelson. “Attendance at training has been poor for a few weeks and it's starting to show on the pitch, which is really disappointing considering the previous 18 months this team has had.” he said. “If it was just the weather and time of year then every team would have the same problem.”

L&Y didn't have the same problems with selection as the previous week, so this loss was in many ways more disappointing than that at Billericay.

Upminster's efficient drilling and superior fitness were soon evident.

L&Y were out of sorts but managed to contain the lively Essex side with some scrambling defence and solid first-phase play. There was no lack of ambition from either side but it was usually Upminster who looked the most likely to break free. They couldn't sustain any territory inside the L&Y 22, primarily due to Nelson's superb booming left boot.

Their influential scrum-half, Pavitt, missed three attempts at goal and

fly-half, Lowe, directed another effort wide, so when L&Y finally put together a concerted attack deep into the Upminster half on 35 minutes, they were rightly frustrated.

The visitors' centre was sent to the bin, and from the resulting tapped penalty prop Jake Titterington barged through three tackles and lunged over the line for the first points. Lewis Davey converted, but shortly afterwards Pavitt slotted his fourth attempt for 7-3.

Upminster started the second half at a blistering pace and scored under the posts (converted).

L&Y tried to valiantly to come back into the game. Tom Castleton and Nelson were trying to release speedsters Myles McAlone and Daniel Boardley but all to no avail.

With L&Y committing too many forwards to the breakdowns, their back line was exposed and in the space of five minutes, two tries by their powerful left wing put the game beyond reach.

L&Y: Bristo, Newton, Titterington, Coleman, Wilkinson, Cashman, Davey, Thomas, Castleton, Nelson, Lewis, Adams, McAlone, Taylor Crisp, Boardley. Bench: Oakes, Scheijde, Titterington S.