CANVEY Island suffered a fifth defeat in seven games, losing 49-19 at home to East London.

The setback saw the Islanders slip to 10th in the 12 team table.

And the club’s Richard Smith felt a poor first half performance was to blame for the loss.

“Not for the first time this season a poor first half start saw us with a second half mountain to climb,” said Smith.

“Once again Canvey’s pack was the dominant force in the set pieces but the team struggled to find any continuity in the loose play with ball in hand and losing it to the opposition much too often.”

East London ran in four first half tries which were all converted but Canvey managed one of their own with Harley Skidmore touching down following a driving set scrum.

Fly-half Damon Cooper added the conversion but Canvey trailed 35-7 at half-time.

After the break, the Islanders bagged their second try of the game with Skidmore again touching down and Cooper adding the extras.

Canvey threw everything they had at the opposition in a bid to mount a comeback but, in doing so, they left themselves vulnerable in defence and East London took full advantage with three more tries.

However, the Islanders did manage one more try of their own with winger Tom Dulieu touching down.

Canvey face an even tougher test on Saturday as they head to table-topping Epping Upper Clapton.