WITHAM Rugby Club seconds warmed up for their opening Essex Merit Table game of the season with a friendly match against a joint Maldon seconds and thirds side.

There were a few older players that turned up but a lot of new faces were also in the Witham team, however, it was Maldon who made the quicker start.

Some fantastic tackling from the newer players and a good defensive display saw Witham hold their opponents out, though, and it took 15 minutes before Maldon could register their first try.

Slick passing then led to a second try for Maldon, but the rest of the half saw some good steals from Witham in the rucks and from tackles.

They couldn't capitalise from these, though, and the first half ended with Maldon in the lead.

A half-time team-talk from John Cox seemed to work as Witham secured more ball and a moment of brilliance from centre Joe Cook took Witham up to the try line.

Richie Huges, in his very last game for the club, went over the line from the back of a ruck for a try that was converted by Cox.

Tails were now up but Maldon put on a lot of youngsters and ran in more tries as Witham's older side tired and it was Maldon who took the victory

Although Witham lost, though, there were a lot of positives to take for them.