THAT’S MORE LIKE IT

ROCHFORD HUNDRED : 39 POINTS SUDBURY : 19 POINTS

Rochford pulled themselves together after the previous weeks below par performances and came out worthy winners in this fine open game played in the right spirit and a credit to both teams.

It was clear from the start that this was a Rochford team that meant business in their attitude and general discipline.

Live wire flanker Andy Baker put his name on the score sheet within the first few minutes with a terrific try which Tom Ashton duly converted to go 7 – 0 up.

Ashton increased Rochford’s lead a few minutes later with a penalty kick and the home side appeared to be well in control with the set scrum and lineout working efficiently again.

The visitors had other ideas and began to tighten up their game winning more ball and applied pressure to the home team’s line for many minutes but to no avail as Rochford’s defence , as ever, was up to the task.

Sudbury’s persistence eventually paid off when Sudbury enormous prop Josh.Rix powered over for a try to narrow the deficit to five points.

Rochford responded with some fine attacking play to push Sudbury back into their half of the field and a penalty decision against them allowed Ashton the opportunity to put Rochford further ahead which he took with confidence.

Once again the lively Suffolk outfit broke back when wing Matt. Johnson sped over for a try which stand off Matt. Cooper converted reducing the score to 13 -12 to the home side.

The game was one of fast ,flowing play by both sides , but it was Rochford that tended to look more dangerous with ball in hand as centre Matt. Stewart showed to finish off a stylish piece of play involving a number of players , in particular Ashton whose final pass provided Stewart with the first of his two tries. Ashton converted to finish the first half 20-12 up.

The second session continued in the same vein but the balance of play began to favour the boys in black as they started to put together some exciting running rugby .Next on the score sheet was talented young scrum half Dan Bracknell ,who seems to be getting better with each game. He darted through the Sudbury defence for a try which Ashton again converted and then Stewart scored his second try which was after some very skilled approach work by forwards and backs . The try was converted and suddenly Rochford found themselves in a comfortable 34 – 12 lead.

Great credit to Sudbury as they kept at the task and their other wing William Shropshire collected the ball far out on the right wing and outpaced the home defences tackles to run in a good try which Cooper converted.

Rochford,however, had the last say when at the death Sean Conneely playing on the wing this week sped over in the corner for the icing on the cake.

A competitive game with a bonus point thrown in and a joy to watch. Rochford were very disciplined and focused on the day and will need to continue in this way .They still have not reached full potential but many fine performances from a solid front row of Rowes, Corbet ,Badger and then Avis,through second rows Tape and Murphy .The back row looked more like the fighting force we know them to be where Baker, Spencer and Chipper all had terrific games.

In the backs Bracknell and Needham get better all the time with Needham showing that flash of class again and again when required. Centres Ashton and Stewart are both playing some outstanding rugby. Matt Stewart has come on leaps and bounds since those early days and is becoming a force to be reckoned with .

Young Sean Conneely has been flitting between full back to wing but is putting assured performances in whatever position he plays.It was also good to see full back Dan Allen back in action again as he brings that degree of steadiness and maturity to proceedings.

The coaching staff of Mark Sexton and Andy Lipscombe can feel well pleased with the afternoon’s work but know that this must be an ever continual process if we are to achieve the success we all wish so much.