Woodford's woes deepen with Letchworth defeat (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Rugby round-up

12:16pm Wednesday 30th March 2011 in Sport

WOODFORD’S plight continued with a hammering at the hands of Letchworth Garden City at the weekend.

The Highams men are precariously placed second from bottom in London One North, just two points above Stevenage Town, who are anchoring the table. Tabard and Brentwood sit two points above Woodford, with relegation an ominous threat.

There was more misery for the division’s other local sides. Chingford will just want the season to end as soon as possible as they fell to a 24-19 loss at Bury St Edmunds.

They have fallen from play-off contention into sixth place, which is where they will finish the campaign.

Eton Manor, meanwhile, were involved in a thrilling game against Thurrock, but they just fell short, 29-28.

Elsewhere, in London Three North East, Bancroft’s survival hopes suffered another blow when they slipped to a heavy 51-14 defeat at Basildon.

The Bs are second-bottom on 27 points, seven points adrift of safety, although they have a game in hand over fellow strugglers Campion and Wisbech, who they can overhaul with two wins, as long as results also go their way.

The team will need a victory from this weekend’s derby with Wanstead.

Wanstead’s own promotion push has faded away in the second half of the season, but they registered a good 15-5 victory at Upminster.

In Essex Two, Upper Clapton completed the perfect season with their 16th win, a typically thumping 65-12 victory over Stanford Le Hope.

Tindall bagged two tries and Roberts grabbed another as Clapton took control. Tom Winkworth and Danny Smith also scored before the break, before Roberts again and a James Hack hat-trick extended the lead. Paul Baldwin scored and Hack scooped a fourth in the rout.