Herons rise to E’s challenge

WANSTEAD returned to winning ways at Roding Lane North with a victory that still leaves local rivals London sweating on their Essex One survival.

The Herons kicked off the game playing into a strong wind and with the sun in their eyes and the E's began to look dangerous.

But it wasn't until the final 15 minutes of the half that the match really came to life, when visiting right wing Kenton Stanford was able to take an inside pass at pace before breaking three tackles to score. Daniel Bracken slotted over the extras to make it 0-7, before London increased their advantage when full back Darren Salmon scored an unconverted try in the right hand corner.

The Herons went on the attack and powered their way deep into the visitors' 22, where scrum half Paul Cristofoli was able to make a neat break from the ruck to score on the right. Andy Donovan added the extra's to make it 7-12 at the interval.

The home side were looking to get themselves back into the game in the second half but immediately conceded a try from a scrum, when London's half backs did a nice run-around move and scrum half James Adamsom scored. Bracken added the simple conversion to secure a 7-19 lead.

Wanstead finally started to play some rugby and from a driving maul Gary Cristofoli was able to control at the back and dot down for good forward score. Donovan missed the conversion, although the Herons were given fresh hope when an E's back row lost control and found himself sin-binned.

With a man advantage the hosts capitalised with good interplay in the midfield enabling Mostert to crash over under the posts, before Donovan tied the scores with the extras.

The Herons continued on the attack, and despite failing to make the most of a couple of scoring chances good passing move ended with Brockman scoring the match winning try.