Eton Manor stuttered to a bonus-point win over Thurrock on Saturday, triumphing 24-5 to strengthen their grip on second place in London League One North.

Thurrock enjoyed the better of the early exchanges but it was Eton Manor who drew first blood. Michael Eghan linked well with Chris Jones and the former used his pace to sprint beyond several defender and cross the line. Callum McKie kicked the resulting conversion to hand Manor a 7-0 lead.

For the next ten minutes the game began to settle and around the middle of the park, Thurrock mounted a number of attacks which Manor coped with without too much trouble.

Manor were by far the more dangerous of the two sides with Peter Bicknell and Jack Knowles making ground, but again sloppy play and basic errors by Manor interrupted any promising attack.

Eventually Manor did increase their lead after McKie put Thurrock on the back foot with a delightful chip in behind their defensive line, which caused the visitors to give away a penalty.

The ball was kicked for a lineout where Kevin Reed won the ball at the tail and a quick ball to Nick Horton allowed him to feed McKie in space. He took the ball forward then put in a well-judged grubber kick which Jones chased, gathered and run in unopposed from ten metres out for Manor's second try.

Again the conversion was good and as the half drew to a close with Manor leading 14-0.

Thurrock hauled themselves back into the contest six minutes after the restart, scoring in the corner but missing the conversion.

Tryson Goodchild then saw an effort disallowed for accidental offside after he had powered over the line from ten metres out.

And when Thurrock lost their second row to the sin bin for coming in at the side of the ruck, Manor seized their opportunity to score a third try; John Robinson driving over to make it 19-5.

Manor's bonus-point try arrived when Jones utilised his pace to cross the whitewash and seal the win.

Next up for Eton Manor is a home tie against Barking on Saturday.

Third in League One North, Chingford crushed Rusilip 39-0 on Saturday. They host Romford & Gidea Park on Saturday.

Bottom-of-the-table Woodford were beaten 31-10 by Luton. A visit from Letchworth Garden City awaits this weekend.

In London Three North East, Wanstead came up short to lose 17-7 at Harlow. They will look to rectify the result at home to West Norfolk on Saturday.