Wanstead’s 3rd’s reached the final of  the Merit League Plate on Saturday, beating Old Brentwood’s 62-29.

Ilford now stand between Wanstead and silverware, with the final due to be played on April 12 at Gidea Park’s ground.

With a mix of youth team players and veterans, Wanstead drew first blood inside ten minutes, Jacob King crossing the line after good build up from Adam Heppenstall, Liam Ball and Callum Luxmore.

Ball was involved once more as Lazenby added a converted try to put Wanstead 12-0 up shortly after.

Just three minutes later, King crossed the line to extend that lead further, before OB’s brought up their first score with a converted try to reduce the Wanstead lead to 17-7.

Despite suffering game-ending injuries to  Peter Scanlon and Matt Nott, Wanstead added  another two more unanswered tries and a conversion to further improve their lead.

An excellent individual try from OB’s fullback brought the score back to 29-14 before John Kenlin and David Martin scored in quick succession to re-assert Wanstead’s superiority.

Just before the break, OB’s found two tries of their own, meaning Wanstead led 42-24 at half-time.

King completed  his hat-trick after the restart, before Luxmore added another try of his own. Captain Mario Tavisoli also scored to add another quick-fire five points.

Veteran full-back Jon Rawlinson was dealt a cruel blow, picking up a shoulder injury as he dived to score what he believed to be a legitimate try, only to see his effort chalked off as the touch judge decreed his foot had been touching the line.

Leading 57-24, Wanstead gave up another try to OB’s inside centre before completing the scoring with a try from scrum half Heppenstall two minutes from time.