Dagenham maintained their impressive momentum in Counties One Essex with a convincing 69-3 win over Braintree at Central Park on Saturday.

Captain Nathanial Farrell put in an exceptional display, running in five tries, and was named joint man-of-the-match with second row Dan Libby, who put in a tireless performance. 

The hosts began strongly, with the returning Jordan Darkwa claiming the ball from the kick-off with an outstanding piece of athleticism. 

This set the early platform for Farrell to run in his first try after some good phase play, with Tommy Cameron and Frankie Neale dictating the play well.

After strong carrying close to the line, Farrell picked up from the base of a ruck to muscle over for his second try, before Braintree responded with some pressure of their own and converted a penalty in front of the posts.

The next score came after a good break by centre Perry Cook, who drew the last defender and sent Jordan Calverley over, and clever tactical kicking and stout defence kept Braintree on the back foot, with Dagenham eventually rewarded with a scrum on the 22. 

Neale spotted the space and put in a delicate grubber kick, winning the ensuing foot race to dribble the ball over the line and touch down for the try. 

Farrell then rounded out the first half by completing his hat-trick, running the ball back from a loose kick for a 33-3 lead.

The second half started as the first had left off, with Farrell running in another try, this time down the left wing. 

It was followed soon after by Lewis Pruce breaking several tackles on a good line to score and the Dagenham forward pack continued to assert their dominance at scrum and lineout. 

Mitch Sinfield benefitted from a powerful scrum drive on the Braintree line to touch down and Cook was the next on the scoresheet after another strong break through the midfield.

This was soon followed by Neale again scorching through the line to add to his haul and the final word, fittingly, went to captain Farrell, who broke through from halfway. 

It seemed he was going to be denied when he was cut down by the Braintree scrum-half but, as he wasn’t held in the tackle, Farrell was able to bounce back to his feet and run over for his fifth try. 

Second-placed Dagenham head to lowly Epping Upper Clapton this weekend.

Results: Campion 42 SW Ferrers 7; Dagenham 69 Braintree 3; Romford & GP 22 East London 33; Old Cooperians 24 Mavericks 15; Upminster 24 Epping Upper Clapton 24; Wanstead 15 Harlow 40.

Fixtures (Nov 5): Campion v Braintree, East London v Upminster, Epping Upper Clapton v Dagenham, Harlow v Old Cooperians, Mavericks v Romford & GP, SW Ferrers v Wanstead.