East London Rugby Football Club has congratulated ten of its players whose talents were recognised by Essex County.

East London Vixens Sorcha Caudery, Freya Challis, Ella David, Steph Smith and Lucy Thomas received their County Caps after matches for the Essex squad in RFU County Championship Gill Burns Trophy Division 3 Pool 3.

East London 1st XV players Senad Kurtaj, Dan McCleary, Matt Shacklady, Antoine Louis and Chris Brown earned their caps after playing for Essex in RFU County Championship Bill Beaumont Trophy Division 3 Pool 2.

The Essex men lost 7-45 at home to Hertfordshire; won 15-19 away at Buckinghamshire; but lost 24-48 at home to Middlesex to finish bottom of their group. The Essex women lost 10-22 at home to Sussex including a try from Challis; and lost 51-17 away at Middlesex including tries from Challis and Thomas. They too were bottom of their group.

East London RFC Co-Chair Kat Salthouse said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, I congratulate all of our players on being called up by Essex and getting minutes on the pitch. They will all be better players for the experience.”