East London Wyverns 62 Ilford III 5 EAST LONDON S second team, the Wyverns, finished their league season in style with a comprehensive victory over Ilford on Saturday. The Newham side are now league champions of Merit Table Four, with an impressive record

East London Wyverns 62 Ilford III 5

EAST LONDON'S second team, the Wyverns, finished their league season in style with a comprehensive victory over Ilford on Saturday.

The Newham side are now league champions of Merit Table Four, with an impressive record of 16 wins from 18 games, with a points difference of 524.

Despite winning the league last week, the Wyverns were intent on performing in their last fixture and scored nine well-worked tries.

It became apparent early on in the game that the Wyverns had the beating of Ilford out wide, and a gameplan was devised to exploit this, as at every opportunity the home side looked to release the outside backs.

With scrum-half Dave Thomas attacking the fringes around the breakdown, the Ilford back row found it difficult to defend the wider channels in time when the ball was released.

This allowed the pacey Wyvens backline enough time and space to score some great tries.

Debutant winger Johnny Smith, who was later named man of the match, finished with a hat-trick, while outside centre Nick Dashti and scrum-half Thomas scored two apiece.

Captain John Higginson was in fine form with the boot, kicking seven conversions and a penalty.

The Wyverns are in action again this weekend in the League Cup against Maldon's second team.