LONDON ONE NORTH: Thurrock started 2017 with a 49-10 defeat at table-topping Tring.

The Hertfordshire side have yet to lose so far this season.

But T’s director of rugby Dean White felt Saturday’s encounter was a game of two contrasting halves.

“We were great in the first half and were winning 10-7 at half-time but it was a real tale of two halves,” said White, whose team are sixth in the standings.

“After the break the game turned and so did some of the referee’s decisions.

“We had four yellow cards and a penalty try against us and we just couldn’t recover against a very strong side.

“Overall, Tring were the better side in the second half and we couldn’t get our game going.

“We will take a lot of good stuff from the first half performance but we also have a lot to work on from that second half.

“However, we now look forward to putting things right against Chingford at home this weekend.”

In London Three North East, eighth placed Basildon lost 45-3 at East London while in Essex One A, second placed Stanford le Hope beat Old Brentwood, the team immediately below them in the table, 56-52 in a high scoring encounter.

Billericay moved up to fourth in the table with a 31-3 victory against Bancroft but sixth placed Pegasus Palmerians lost 17-7 at home to table-topping Millwall.

In Essex One B, Canvey Island moved up to second after beating Maldon 28-15.

Jason Lansley, Harry Atkins, Jack Chandler and Tom Delieu all touched down for the Islanders while Jon Edwards added four conversions.

Canvey had to dig deep when full-back Damon Cooper was yellow carded just before half-time.

Maldon, who are now fourth in the table, hit back with two late tries but were unable to stop Canvey coming out on top.