Ilford Wanderers three game winning run was brought to a halt as they suffered a heavy 31-11 defeat to Chelmsford in the London 3 Essex.

A cagey affair produced three penalties early on, giving the hosts a 6-3 lead, despite the Wanderers being more dominant.

Fly-half Alfie Waddems chipped into space, winger Terry Marsen jumped high to challenge for the ball but was illegally challenged off the ground, but he was able to re-gather the ball to put Wanderers 8-6 up.

Ilford were awarded a penalty to stretch their lead and Chelmsford bagged their own before Lawrence Brown picked up a yellow card which soured the half as Ilford went in 11-9 up.

A second yellow rubbed salt into the wound and the home side started to take control, eventually running in four unanswered tries to gain a deserved bonus point.

Captain Jason Taylor said: “Travelling away to the top teams in this league means you have to be at your best but we weren’t.”