Norwich Union secured second spot at the end of the first phase of EC1 North with a thrilling home victory.

This means they are now are in the mix for promotion to London 3 Eastern Counties, with home and away fixtures coming up against Newmarket, Hadleigh, Colchester III and Cottenham Renegades.

In a tight first half, Union took a 12-0 lead through tries from www.whalebonefreehouse.co.uk man of the match Joe Nicholson and Dan Jones, the second of which was converted by Tom Whitehouse, before a converted try from Charlie Orton and penalty reduced the arrears to just two points at the break.

A Whitehouse penalty then stretched Union's lead and the hosts pulled away in the final quarter though tries from Jones, Callum Slaughter, Lloyd Davis and Jordan Read, with Whitehouse adding a conversion.

Union now have a well-earned week's rest before taking on Cottenham at home on February 2.