CLACTON 39

STANFORD-LE-HOPE 10

Essex League Premiership

IN what coach Matt Mahoney claimed was their best performance of the season, Clacton scored seven tries against a useful Stanford-le-Hope side and moved up to third place in the Essex League Premiership.

Captain Jake Buxey started the ball rolling with the first score and efforts from Lee Amman, Ryan Ollerton and James Garrod secured a bonus point by half-time.

Turning round 22-5 in front, Garrod completed his hat-trick in the second half before Jon Vine made it seven with the final play of the day.

By his high standards, Elliott Shuttleworth had something of an off day with his conversions and was only able to convert two.

Clacton now have just three league fixtures left.

They travel to Old Brentwood's on March 25 and a week later play their final home fixture against Billericay, before completing their season with a trip to Millwall on April 8.

With Braintree, Canvey Island and Maldon all winning on Saturday as well, the Seasiders just have to keep plugging away for a high finish.

Clacton's Kestrels were left without a game on Saturday when the Essex University students cried off on Thursday.

The match, and the Eastern Counties League division three south points, will be awarded to the Kestrels.

However, they would have preferred to have actually played their last away fixture of the season.

They will be the only Clacton side in action this coming Saturday as they play host to Bury St Edmunds fourths.