Things did not start well for Rochford when prop forward David Coombes had to withdraw with hamstring problems before the game started and they had to reorganise the pack.

In the end it was not a factor as the Rochford scrum stood up well with prop Andy Badger putting in a sterling performance as did the rest of the pack against a side that looked stronger as the game went on.

Most of the scoring and the result was sorted out by half time which was a good thing as Rochford went off the boil and Beccles increased the tempo to come finish on equal footing in the second half.

The home team started at a pace and went 7 points up when classy stand off Dan Needham showed his skills to glide through for a try which Tom Ashton converted.

The visitors soon struck back with a penalty before speedy wing Greg. Stubbs finished off a great move to race in for another try.Ashton again converted and Rochford were now n the driving seat.

Lineout and loose were providing plenty of good ball with George Chipper, Tom Corbet,Sam Tape, Billy Ellis and others putting in the hard yards.Scrum half Dan Bracknell was, once again, a bundle of energy at the base of the scrum and lineout and Dan Allen at full back was all power when he entered the line.

Beccles pulled back 5 points with a try of their own to narrow the score but it was all Rochford after that.The home team played some very good rugby in this session until half time with forwards and backs combining to create space.

Centre Ashton went over for a fine try and this was then followed by powerful no.8 Chipper who crashed through for Ashton to convert.

The impressive no.8 finished off the first half scoring with his second try to put his side up 33 – 8 at the break.

It really should have been plain sailing in the second session but as is often the case with Rochford they took their foot off the peddle and Beccles took full advantage of it.

For periods of the remainder of the match they held possession and used it to take on their higher placed opponents to good effect.

They scored another try through the endeavour of their big forwards and took the game to the home side.

The match was a little frustrating for the boys in black as they tried to regain the initiative and there were a few times when it looked like they would just open up and score but a combination of good Beccles defence and the giving away of too many penalties stopped their further progress.

It was not until late in the game when a good move by Rochford’s speedy backs allowed wing Matt.Stewart the opportunity to take on the Beccles defence which he did in style to dive over for a try.

A good win with full bonus points but by Rochford’s own standards they were disappointed that they allowed Beccles too much time on the ball. Ipswich next week away will be a far sterner test which they will have to overcome before meeting up with Braintree the week after.