Essex turn on power for a high five

Division Three Round-up

ESSEX produced a fine display as they powered past Notts, Lincs & Derbys 37-8 in Mansfield. Scoring five tries in all, they dominated from the start, leading 24-3 by halftime before adding the bonus point in the second half.

Essex made a flying start with early tries from Tom Simpson and then Brad Burr, and they had try number three right on the stroke of half-time from No.8 Paul Bradley, although the home side did at least get on the board with a penalty.

Notts, Lincs & Derbys were strong at the breakdown and pulled a try back, but soon after Essex had the bonus-point try.

They had lost Burr to the sin-bin for a high tackle, but still managed to get over for their fourth score, Ed Hornby the man to get it.

And they were able to dictate the pace for the rest of the game, getting try number five from Bami Coker to seal the win.

Elsewhere, Sussex won a physical affair against Dorset & Wilts in Crawley, coming from behind to win 28-10.

While the visitors led 10-7 at the break, their discipline let them down in the second half, with three red cards allowing Sussex to take control and claim the bonus-point success.

Ben Robson had scored the opening try for Sussex, with Max Morris adding the second to put them into a lead.

Dorset had already picked up one red card by that point, with Ed Bowden then running in try number three.

And after two more reds, it was left to Ryan Gue to seal the bonus point late on. Finally in Aylesbury, Oxfordshire claimed a fine win 32-25 away to Buckinghamshire in an entertaining game that went back and forth.

While the battle up front was fairly even, it was Oxfordshire’s threat out wide that proved crucial in a game where the lead changed hands multiple times. Pete Boulton and Ed Yates each crossed for the visitors who claimed a bonus point with the win.