Southend 5 Upper Clapton 42 (Rugby U12s): Upper Clapton's tackling, handling, passing and, crucially thinking all contributed to an excellent performance against a much-improved Southend team.

The game started poorly for the visitors who conceded a try from a fly-hack and chase to the line against the run of play.

The boys rallied and fought back scoring three tries in the first half and the same amount in the second, all converted by Callum Rugg.

The Upper Clapton coaching squad were delighted that the side had six different try scorers, three in the backs and three in the forwards demonstrating some excellent teamwork and link play by all the players.

Tackler of the day was Harry McCourt, the smallest player on the pitch who took on Southend's largest players. Man of the Match was Matthew Moody, who played at scrum half for the team for the first time and the best try of the day was scored by Alex Babb.

Upper Clapton U11s played in a triangular tournament against Southend and Ilford on Sunday.

Clapton's first game was against a well-drilled Ilford team.

Previous games between the teams have always been tough and this was no exception.

The first half was pretty even and both teams matched each other in the rucks and mauls. The half time score was 0-0.

In the second half Clapton's forwards upped their game and started to dominate.

Clapton's James Apperley caught the ball at the back of the lineout and drove through the middle of Ilford's defence to score the first try of the game.

Ilford tried to break Clapton's back line but were pinned in their own half.

Clapton's victory was sealed when Ben Bradford spun off the maul and scored in the corner.

When the final whistle blew for a 14-0 Upper Clapton win and both teams knew they had been in a tough match. Upper Clapton's tries were scored by James Apperley and Ben Bradford, with conversions by Ivan Karsten.

Against Southend, Clapton played a controlled game and moved the ball out wide which led to three tries being scored before half time.

In the second half Southend tried to get back in the game but Clapton were too strong in the tackle. Again Clapton moved the ball out wide and scored six more tries before the final whistle.

The final score was Upper Clapton 45 Southend 0, with tries scored by James Apperley (four), Alfie Reynolds (two), Henry Burns, Daniel Button and Daniel Smith.

Chingford entertained two U12 teams in a junior tournament on Sunday with Burnham-on-Crouch and Thurrock the visitors to Waltham Way.

Burnham, a new opponent for Chingford, were the first team to play the home side and showed that they lacked the experience of their hosts.

The hosts started the game fantastically with winger Harry Mullett-Howell chasing up Albie Phillips kick-off regaining the ball, and giving a great pass inside to Kieran Twichett, who kept the move going, before finally being pushed out into touch. From the resulting lineout Chingford won the ball and Luke Hammond weaved his way through numerous tacklers to go over for a fine individual score, that Albie Phillips easily converted.

With the hosts completely in control, Ollie Graham showed his pace as he glided his way over, for Chingford's second try, which was also converted by Phillips.

Directly from the kick off Albie Phillips caught the ball, shimmied to his right, stepped to the left and off he went down the wing before scoringprobably his best try so far this year, that he also converted.

Next to score for Chingford was the hard-working Tom Lowry who burrowed his way over the line after some excellent work by forwards Max Hayman and Jake Lovett. Once again the reliable boot of Phillips slotted the conversion between the uprights to give Chingford a 28-0 half-time lead.

This turned out to be the final score as there were no more tries or conversions from either side after the break.

Next up were Thurrock who were a different proposition to the the Burnham side.

Straight from the kick off Chingford were put under pressure, with Thurrock's forwards dominating in the early scrums.

As the match progressed neither side really looked dangerous in attack, but both were more than competent in defence, with skipper Albie Phillips tackling well for Chingford, Ryan Fox laying his body on the line on numerous occasions, and the rest of the side generally getting stuck in.

The game ended scoreless, with Chingford giving away too many penalties, that on other days would have cost them the game.

Eton Manor and Westcliff U8s played three highly entertaining games of mini rugby, with narrow defeats for Manor in two games and the final match ending in a draw.

Both sides showed great sportsmanship. Try scorers for Eton Manor were Michael Batt, Harry Keeling, Gianni Fennings, Jack O'Connell, Ben Dyson and Michael and Cameron Roberts.

Avon House School's rugby team took part in a festival tournament at West Grove featuring 12 teams.

They lost their first match against Beam School 15-10.

Against Brentwood they drew 20-20. By this stage in the festival they had begun to work more as a team.

They won their last match against Bancroft's school 40-0.

The Avon House players were Connor Jordan, Grant Bell, Jack Wintle, Joseph Ludford, Joakim Knuckey, Carlo Ashiagbor, Sarankan Skandamoorthy, Thivagar Uthayakumer, Temitope Olatigbe, Henry Newton and Arjun Robertson .