Wanstead 7
Ilford Wanderers 15
(Essex One)

DESPITE securing their 13th league win of the season Ilford Wanderers look like narrowly missing out on promotion.

The visitors overturned a 7-0 half-time deficit to run out 15-7 winners, but they remain two points behind second-placed Dagenham, who occupy the final promotion place, and have played a game less.

Ilford have a significantly inferior points difference, and unless Dagenham lose their remaining two games by landslides, and Ilford win their final game against Clacton by a massive margin, the team will have to settle for another season in Essex One.

However, after staving off relegation in the past few seasons, manager Brian Scahill believes that it may be a blessing in disguise.

"We've struggled a lot in the last few years so it was an excellent season for us," he reflected.

"We've beaten every team in the league this year and we can be very proud of ourselves. But in the long run, I think it will stand us in good stead to spend another season in this division."

Scahill believes that if he can strengthen the squad, then they will mount a serious promotion challenge again next campaign.

"The team is good enough to go up in my opinion," he insisted.

"But the squad is not. We were top of the league for a time, but several results against Bancroft and Maldon may have cost us, and that's down to the depth in the squad.

"We've got a few young players coming through so we will be stronger next season."

Ilford found themselves behind at Wanstead after an evenly-contested first half yielded just a single try for the home side from Rob Seltzer, which the same player converted.

But the strong winds came into play for the visitors after the interval, as Ilford scored 15 points in a devastating 20-minute spell. Number eight John Dillon scored two tries, while David North provided a conversion and a penalty with the boot to complete an excellent revival .