AFTER an uncharacteristic defeat at Hadleigh, Mistley Rugby Club's Marauders got back to winning ways with an 18-5 success against Brightlingsea Pirates.

It took them back up to second in Eastern Counties League division four south - a point behind leaders Hadleigh.

The Brightlingsea side was made up of some very experienced older players, which showed against a younger Marauders team.

Despite this, Harry Kerins, James Tas, Lewis Stratton and Nick Moses produced an excellent display in the scrum and were a match for Brightlingsea's front row.

The Marauders were first to score, following a brilliant penalty kick from captain Jack Tompkins.

Brightlingsea fought back but Matt Course crashed through their defence to increase the lead to 8-0.

The game was evenly balanced, with superb rucking from Kerins and Moses and tactical kicking from scrum-half Jess Fearn.

The ball went down the line and Course nearly scored again - only to be thwarted by a forward pass.

Tompkins then kicked a penalty in front of the posts and, at half-time, the score stood at 11-0.

Tas and Kevin Nave came off at the turnaround, to be replaced by Jack French and Nathan Lodge, who was wearing a Mistley shirt for the first time.

With brilliant tackling from Angus Bissett and Kerins holding his own against the opposition prop, Mistley nearly scored again thanks to brilliant play from Moses and Kyle Fox.

The game became more competitive as the second half progressed, with Brightlingsea not holding back, and Connor Williams replaced Sam Ackerman.

James Dove also kicked well at full-back to fend off the Brightlingsea onslaught.

Course then scored his second try, again running through the Brightlingsea backs, followed by a Tompkins conversion, to increase the lead to 18-0.

Brightlingsea scored a consolation try as the game ended 18-5.

The Marauders did not get a bonus point but are now back in second position, on 43 points, with Hadleigh on 44.

Tomorrow the first team are away to Sudbury.

Although they won 27-19 in the home match in October, this game will be challenge as Sudbury have the depth of a large squad.

Kick-off is at 2pm and the match is being sponsored by BusyBody's Gym and Fitness Centre, of Manningtree.