Third league win on the trot

East London came back from two tries down after half an hour to record a narrow victory over Writtle Wanderers on Saturday.
The battling 27-24 win puts them second in Essex League 1 as they remain unbeaten after three games, but they had to work hard for their latest success.
Writtle had the best of the early exchanges as the home forwards conceded too many penalties. The backs were holding their with the pace of centres Kenton Stanford, Sean Curd and full back Paul Arkwright causing problems.
It was Writtle who took the lead with a converted try on 23 minutes and they doubled their lead on 28 minutes. It was the wake up call East London needed. Back row replacement Rob Herbert scored on 34 minutes following a maul from a line out. Five minutes later Stanford barged over from a penalty on the five metre line which fly-half Ryan Billinghurst converted for a 12-14 deficit at the break.
The sides traded penalties early in the second half before left wing Tom Little added a third try on 54 minutes. Back row forward Brian Kennedy scored another to give East London a ten-point lead and the bonus point for four tries. Writtle came back with a converted try but the home side saw out the final few minutes without further incident.
Second place East London are now at home to Clacton on Saturday at the Memorial Ground in West Ham at 2pm.
1st XV vs Writtle: 1. Gary Pearmain; 2. Will Masters; 3. Paddy Coman; 4. Vinny Lally; 5. Mike Groombridge; 6. Brian Kennedy; 7. Nick Parrott; 8. Billy Clayton; 9. Daryl O'Brien; 10. Ryan Billinghurst; 11. Tom Little; 12. Kenton Stanford; 13. Sean Curd; 14. Kwesi Scantlebury; 15. Paul Arkwright. Replacements: Wes Royer, Rob Herbert, Lucas Estevez.