London Four North East: Canvey Island triumphed over local rivals Billericay 18-14 to move up to sixth in the standings.

Canvey’s first half dominance should have put the game out of reach for Billericay but the islanders could not find the finishing touch.

The first score came from the boot of fly-half Jay Bedford after Billericay conceded a penalty five minutes into the game.

But, despite constant pressure, Canvey had to wait 25 minutes before scoring again. They won a ball from the line-out and centre John Breading fed full-back Ben Chandler, who scored under the posts. Bedford added the conversion.

Chandler got good support from the forwards who drove over the ruck for scrum-half Brett Smith to pick-up the ball and, after evading several tackles, he went over the line in the corner to make it 15-0 at half-time.

It was much the same for the first 20 minutes of the second period until Billericay’s number eight went over for a converted try. This picked up the visitors’ game and they started to get into the game more.

But another penalty from Bedford meant Billericay had to score twice. They never gave up and with only minutes to go scored a try from a wheeled scrum to make the final score 18-14 to Canvey.

“The boys played well,” said a Canvey spokesman. “But we need to be more clinical in our finishing.”

Basildon were also victorious as they beat Beccles 23-19. They were strengthened by the return of several players from injury.

A break by Chippy White and good support from skipper Lee Randal for a try under the posts opened the scoring. Lee converted and added a penalty before Beccles scored two quick tries before half time.

Beccles led 14-10 at the break but it looked even worse for Basildon when Beccles scored another try to make it 19-10. But two tries from Mathew Bryan edged Basildon ahead at 20-19 and outside half Mathew Tilson dropped a goal to complete the scoring.

South Woodham Ferrers moved up to second with a 36-10 win over West Norfolk.