CANVEY Island were left ruing a slow start following their 28-22 defeat at Upminster in London Three Essex.

Canvey found themselves 28-0 down inside the first 17 minutes before fighting their way back into the game.

But Canvey spokesman Richard Smith felt the team gave themselves too much to do early on.

“We didn’t turn up for the first 15 minutes of the game and a couple of decisions from the match official didn’t do us any favours,” said Smith.

“On a positive note we stuck at it and could have snatched the win.

“And on a more positive note Alex Kirby is out of hospital awaiting an MRI scan as a precaution but the doctors believe it’s a damaged nerve and he should be up and at them in the new year.”

Canvey - who sit fifth in the table - went behind early on when Upminster scored from kick-off, the resulting restart and then a quickly taken penalty.

A try from Upminster’s number eight then followed before Canvey finally got back in the game with a try from Jason Farrell which Jon Edwards was able to convert.

Moments later, Kirby suffered a neck injury which forced the game to be moved to a nearby pitch. Tries from the Islanders’ Matt Keegan and Alfie Justice followed but Canvey - who face Basildon this weekend - were able to complete the comeback.