London 3 Eastern Counties Newmarket 0 Southwold 41 Southwold put their Suffolk rivals Newmarket to the sword to stay joint top of the table.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jobe Brooks on the way to a try for Southwold. Picture: LINDA CAYLEYJobe Brooks on the way to a try for Southwold. Picture: LINDA CAYLEY (Image: Archant)

James Hall got the scoring started after just three minutes – before Newmarket had even touched the ball – to set the tone for the match.

Sammy Harmer went over just six minutes later and it was 10-0 to ‘Wold before Newmarket knew what was happening.

It looked for all the world as if a cricket score may ensue for Wold as Newmarket couldn’t get a foothold in the game, but all credit to them as they battled and battled and they somehow kept the score the same till half-time.

The second half saw a different Wold take the pitch, and the stuttering score line soon rolled over by another five points only two minutes in.

It came in startling form from a scrum to Newmarket five metres from their own line. The Wold pack lead by Brett, Aldous and Smith simply steam-rolled the Newmarket pack back over their own line and it was easy for Jonny Mayall to drop on the ball for Wold’s third try and a 15-0 lead.

Wold’s tails however were well and truly now up and when Matty Howell came on as a substitute, he took his first ball receipt and simply smashed through three or four tackles and raced 40 metres towards the corner flag.

He was caught only a metre short but backing him up was young Jobe Brooks, who gratefully received the ball and ran into score, Harmer converted and it was 22-0.

It wasn’t long before Callum Anthony broke through the Newmarket back line and put Harmer in for his second try, which he converted for 29-0.

Harmer then crossed for his hat-trick after another Howell rumble, making it 34-0. Wold pressed as Newmarket buckled a little after their valiant efforts to stop the black and gold attacking train began to take their toll.

The final score was the best of the game. Newmarket backs were penalised with five minutes left on the clock just inside their 22 for offside and young Ben Felton at scum-half ambled over to the spot were the ref was indicating the offence had taken place.

He looked purposely disinterested but suddenly took a tap penalty and sidestepped quickly through the sleeping group of defenders to score a great individual try under the posts, converted again by Harmer.