CHINGFORD kept in touch with the play-off place in London One North with a narrow 15-13 victory at Thurrock on Saturday.

Thurrock drew first blood with a penalty, but Chingford then maintained constant possession and, at last, full-back Ryan Pask burst through the line and created an overlap for winger Chris Kells to score. Duncan Hayward scored an excellent conversion.

A penalty brought the hosts within one point at half-time.

However, Chingford gained a man advantage after a yellow card in the second half and, after 13 phases of the following attack, the ball was shipped wide to winger Joe Gaze who kicked and dived into the corner, one handed, for a try.

Hayward missed the conversion but did not disappoint with a penalty soon afterwards.

Thurrock applied more pressure with a converted try but Chingford held on for an excellent victory.

Manager Phil Howell said: “Even runaway leaders Westcliff have lost at Thurrock this season so we are delighted to have earned a win.”

Chingford are four points behind second-placed Sidcup in the table and host bottom side Stevenage Town this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Woodford pulled away from the bottom sides with a comprehensive 26-10 victory at Stevenage Town on Saturday. They will hope for another victory when they host play-off chasing Colchester this week.

Eton Manor remain in relegation danger after they crashed to a 14-8 defeat at home to rivals Letchworth Garden City.

It does not get any easier for Manor as they travel to leaders Westcliff this week.

In London Three North East, Wanstead. were thrashed 26-2 at Wymondham and are in fifth position in the table. The team host Mersea Island this Saturday.

Elsewhere, Bancroft were beaten 17-48 by league leaders Lowestoft & Yarmouth and remain in the bottom two. A trip to Wymondham is next up for the Bs.

In Essex Two, Upper Clapton are five points clear at the top with a match in hand after hammering Writtle Wanderers 46-4 away from home on Saturday.

Tom Roberts bagged a hat-trick of tries with Matt Thompson scoring two and notching three conversions.

This Saturday they will hope to keep their 12-match winning run going when they host rivals Ilford Wanderers.

Wanderers thrashed Stanford-Le-Hope 39-7 on Saturday.

Ongar were well beaten 6-26 at Phantoms on Saturday and will look to pull away from the wrong end of the table when they entertain leaders Writtle Wanderers.