Late drama as Thetford lose 22-19 to Maldon in Junior Vase clash

Thetford 19 Maldon 22

Late drama saw Thetford knocked out in the first round of the London & South East Junior Vase.

Maldon – who play at the equivalent level to Thetford’s league, Essex One – won the cup clash late on at a wet and greasy Two Mile Bottom.

The visitors scored first, in the left corner, after their penalties got them in the red zone and they drove over despite good efforts from the Thetford forwards.

Thetford came close to hitting back numerous times through Max Wilson and Richard Sharp but it was the visitors who scored next after Thetford were knocking them back on the try line but somehow they found an overlap to score, to lead 12-0 at half-time.

The hosts went on the attack after the break and eventually Will Martin scored after a nice grubber through from Luke Boynes which bounced perfectly for the inside-centre to score.

Maldon replied with a penalty so Martin decided to score again for Thetford but even with his conversion Thetford were 15-14 down.

Gardiner then used his lighting speed to dot down over the try line, with Martin just missing the extras for a 19-15 lead with one minute reaming.

But a knock-on from Clark resulted in a scrum, Maldon won the ball and used their pick-and-go to drive upfield and score a converted try.

Thetford return to Eastern Counties One action on Saturday, at home against Mersea Island.