THE Bancroft juggernaut flattened another obstacle standing in their way of promotion and a successful President’s Shield run at the weekend.

This time the victims were Old Cooperians, who found themselves up against a rampant Bs side searching for their ninth straight victory.

The game doubled up as a league and cup fixture to catch up with the backlog of matches that have built up during the sustained period of adverse weather conditions at the start of the year.

A sluggish start was turned around when Alex Silk bombed forward on a 50 yard run. Tom Farrow struck the first blow with a penalty and Pete Robinson put more daylight between the sides when he rounded a defender for the first try. Farrow duly converted, and he did the same when the excellent James Connor touched down.

Captain Matt Barrett got in on the act and Luke Robinson also piled over to open up an insurmountable 32-0 lead at the break.

Two more Farrow penalties followed before the visitors ran in a deserved consolation try late on.

The victory has extended Bancroft’s lead over third place to four points, while they trail leaders Campion by the same margin.

Elsewhere, Chingford’s London Division One North clash with Rochford Hundred was as scrappy as the Waltham Way pitch it was played on.

Heavy rain meant both sets of players were forced to play in a mudbath, and the adverse conditions had a similar effect on the rugby, with crucial passes often missing their intended targets.

A Ben Bolton-Smith penalty was all Chingford had to show for their first-half efforts, but it was enough to take them into the interval three points up.

The hosts could not find an incisive breakthrough, although they did manage to keep their visitors at bay.

With just nine minutes remaining Rochford levelled with a penalty of their own and, had it not been for some desperate late tackling from Ryan Pask and Steve Hollis, Chingford may have been left empty-handed.

Meanwhile, Woodford were on the receiving end of a 27-7 scoreline at Letchworth Garden City.

League leaders Staines were made to work for their 35-15 victory over local side Eton Manor.

In London Three North East, Wanstead enjoyed a 13-6 victory over bottom side Billericay.

In Essex One, Ilford Wanderers were out-muscled by Old Brentwoods, as they went down 26-17.

Elsewhere, in Essex Two, Pegasus Palmerians were awarded a home walkover against Ongar.