Central Park club beat Upminster in Essex Presidents Shield last Saturday

Dagenham will hope to build on an impressive win in the Essex Presidents Shield when they host Clacton in Essex League Division One on Saturday.

The Central Park club made it through to the final four of the Shield with a 28-6 win at home to divisional rivals Upminster last Saturday.

Jermaine Darkwa scored two tries for D’s, as Joe Jones also dotted down and Jordan Calverley kicked 13 points.

It was an impressive success for Dagenham, not least because they had lost 67-0 at Upminster in the league in September.

And coach Brian Wren was delighted his side were able to claim an element of revenge, saying: “Losing to Upminster in the manner we did earlier in the season was one of the worst experiences of my time in rugby.

“We got exactly what we deserved that day and what makes the result on Saturday so enjoyable is that the same happened: we got exactly what we deserved.

“I’ve been involved in this club for 21 years now and in all that time, this was the best performance I’ve ever seen.

“The lads fronted up superbly and the starting XV through to the replacements all worked their socks off for a well earned and deserved win.”

Victory for the Central Park club means they have a semi-final to look forward to in the New Year, a date for which is yet to be officially confirmed.

But that has not stopped Dagenham coach Wren from getting excited about that game, despite it being a few weeks away yet.

He added: “We look forward to the semi-final and believe we can match anyone we are pitched against.”

Before that, however, Dagenham return to league action when they entertain Clacton this Saturday.

And Wren revealed his team will be in good spirits for that game, thanks in part to their fine cup success.

“Confidence is high after recent results, but we won’t be taking anything for granted. We’ve still got a lot to do and Clacton will be another stern challenge,” he said.