London Three Essex: East London 3 Kings Cross Steelers 17

A disappointing performance by East London saw them lose at home for the first time this season after a gruelling battle against clubhouse rivals Kings Cross Steelers in London Three Essex.

The 17-3 victory for the away side under the floodlights at Memorial Park on Friday was the first time this season East London had failed to register a try.

East London began well as both sides adapted to the heavy conditions and on 11 minutes, sustained pressure by the pack almost broke the deadlock, but a try-scoring opportunity was lost when the ball was judged to have been knocked on.

On 19 minutes, second row Luke Staples-Preston was harshly penalised and Steelers took the lead from the penalty with the offender yellow carded.

Fly-half Ryan Billinghurst levelled the scores with a penalty in front of the posts on 26 minutes, but Steelers scored the opening try three minutes later while still having a man advantage from the sin-binning, with the extras added.

Kinfs Cross added another just before the break to lead by 14 points.

The second-half was dominated by East London, but they were thwarted by solid Steelers defending.

The hosts weren’t helped on 56 minutes when wing Sean Cooper was yellow carded for what was judged to be a deliberate knock on.

Steelers missed a penalty on the hour and also had a player yellow carded.

East London thought they had scored on 69 minutes, but full back Max Stanyard was ruled to have been held up over the try line.

Cooper almost scored in the right corner but his run was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle.

Steelers ended the game with 14 men with another player yellow carded.