MALDON Rugby Club proved too strong for rivals Burnham, in the sides' Essex League fixture on Saturday.

Still carrying injuries from their bruising encounter with Braintree, they gave fringe players an opportunity to stake a claim, as well as a debut to winger Dan Webster.

Despite not fielding a full-strength team, they were still too strong for bottom-of-the-table Burnham and won 98-14.

The game started in Burnham’s favour.

After a deep kick-off to Maldon, a communication error between captain Sam Delderfield-King and full-back Thomas Watkins led to the ball being fumbled and dropped and a score for Burnham.

Maldon hit back with winger Sam Langston scoring in the corner, after a quick surge forward from the pack and off-load out of the tackle for centre Owen Preece.

Langston finished the match with four tries to add to his personal tally.

Maldon’s scrum was not overly dominant but provided a firm enough platform.

Hez Crane added to the score and number eight Daniel Farrup smashed though several flailing defenders from a quick tap penalty ten yards out.

Maldon’s line-out was effective, with both James Bennett and Jack Judd being used to great effect and giving Burnham a torrid time, often stealing the ball in crucial areas.

The back line proved the most effective weapon for Maldon, though, led by Jack White.

White started at fly-half and later changed to full-back, not only providing his backs for tries but also putting himself in for four tries after some fast-paced jinking runs.

Despite a second score from Burnham, the second half was a bit like a training exercise for Maldon.

Coach Judd rang the changes to try his players in other positions.

Preece moved into the stand-off position and scored a brace of tries, as well as creating a try for debutant Webster.

Centre Jamie Farrup was used to great effect by both Preece and White as the centre-of-the-field battering ram and he scored a try in typically aggressive fashion.

Deep in the second half, Burnham’s tempers flared and punches were thrown.

Their main lineout jumper was yellow-carded for his violent conduct and fortunate not to see a red.

This only added to the Burnham’s dismay and Maldon second row James Hodson broke out of the unguarded ruck to offload to hooker Sam Bennett, who put skipper Delderfield-King in for a try in the corner.

A final try came from another break from the captain in the dying moments, as back row Brendan Bignell gathered the ball for the final touch-down.

Man-of-the-match went to White, for his fine attacking display at both fly-half and full-back.

Next Saturday Maldon are at home for a 3pm kick-off against Canvey Island.