A huge second half improvement could not save Eels from another National League Three defeat, but the courage they showed in fighting back from a 44-0 deficit was heartening for the young side.

Full speed ahead - Lee Brown charged through the the Sheffield Hillsborough defence, but the Essx Eels ended up on the end of a 68-12 defeat in their National League Three fixture at Gardiners Close, Basildon Picture: ANNA LUKALA

Head coach Stuart Hogg was forced to name a weakened team, missing the injured Adam Butterworth and the classy South African winger Mario de Magalhaes, but he was happy with the way his team responded.

"We won the second half, and that came after a few sharp words at half time to get everyone thinking about what they were doing," Hogg said.

"It's not easy for these players to get out of a Rugby Union mindset where if things go wrong you can just boot it into touch and start again.

"We only get six chances and we have to make sure we don't throw away possession."

After the break that message got through, with Eels completing their sets more often and exerting real pressure on the hosts.

On 47 minutes they penned Storm down in the in-goal area, and from the drop-out beneath the posts Ankur Amin was able to wriggle home for Eels' first score.

Five minutes later a superb spell of concerted pressure rugby in the Storm dangerzone saw Scott Murphy touch down as the home defence was stretched in all directions.

And when Gareth Lodge powered over for a third try in quick succession just before the hour mark it seemed that a colossal fightback might be on the cards.

Tries from Louis Neethung, who also kicked seven conversions, and Koben Katipa clinched South London's win, but Tyson Lewis had the final say for Eels with a 76th-minute score after darting down the left wing.

Published Tuesday June 1, 2004

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