ILFORD WANDERERS could not take advantage of a positive start and were comfortably beaten by fellow strugglers Wanstead on Saturday.>

FOOTBALL: Wanderers are undone as Herons fly ahead

Wanstead 20

Ilford Wanderers 10

(Eastern Counties League

Div One)

ILFORD WANDERERS could not take advantage of a positive start and were comfortably beaten by fellow strugglers Wanstead on Saturday.

In a dour match, Wanstead deserved their win. Wanderers began brightly and pinned the home side deep in their own half for the opening few minutes.

But the Herons quickly responded and made the most of their superiority in the scrums to lead 12-0 after a quarter of an hour.

Solid scrummaging allowed Ben Kerns to make a couple of powerful breaks to set up tries for Barrie Ward and Paul Romano.

Trailing 12-0, Ilford were finally rewarded for their efforts when a series of short passes put centre Walsh away to cut the deficit. A Wanstead penalty restored the lead to double figures at the interval.

Wanderers resumed the second half at a higher tempo but were unable to turn pressure into points. Twice, they almost reached the home try line only for missed passes to cost them.

Wanstead winger Ward was sent off after a late skirmish and, although both teams scored tries in a frantic finale, the home side held on for the win.

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