24 POINT ASHTON INSPIRES ROCHFORD SUPER SHOW

Even before the game there was a buzz within the team and it certainly continued into the match itself.Rochford put on a show of aggressive,skilful rugby that began to reach the standard that this side know they are capable of attaining.

Ipswich were no slouches as they showed in the opening stage of this entertaining affair as Rochford had to defend against the home side’s fast attacks and only well practiced defence kept them at bay.Rochford also lost full back Dan Allen to injury and had to be replaced early on by newcomer Robert Prior who took to his task as if he had been playing there all season.

Gradually Rochford started to get their hands on the ball and straight away it was evident that they had the measure of their opponents.

Outstanding stand off Dan Needham carved wide holes through the Ipswich backs and from one of these moves he burst through to link with centre Tom Ashton and then to no.8 George Chipper who powered over to score a tremendous try

The visitors launched a fierce onslaught of attacking play with backs and forwards combining to put Ipswich under severe pressure.It resulted in Ashton slotting over a penalty to increase their lead and then shortly after he scored a fine individual try before ending the half with another penalty kick to put Rochford ahead at the break by 16 – 0 .

The boys in black had performed some inspired rugby and there was a great purpose about their play ,but they needed to continue in this vain and not fall into their often second half lack lustre performances .

It was not to be the case this week as they continued to compete with gusto . Their lineout was faultless with Tape, Chipper , Murphy and Ellis supplying excellent ball to their on fire backs . Ipswich , to their credit ,always looked dangerous with ball in hand but found it difficult to restrain their opponents when in full flow.

Ashton kicked another penalty early in the second half to take Rochford further ahead. Next up was flanker Ross Murphy , having a great game, who finished off another piece of fast , powerful rugby. Tom Ashton converted to put Rochford 26 – 0 in the lead.

More enterprising ball play resulted in that man Ashton scoring his second try to put the game ,for all intent and purposes , out of reach of the home side.

The Suffolk outfit did rally late in the game to use their big pack to force Rochford back allowing their backs to run at the visitor’s line and were rewarded with a try. Ashton then regained three points back with another penalty but again Ipswich fought back and scored a push over try to finish the game’s scoring but by then it was all over anyway.

A number of excellent individual performances from such as Dan Needham, Matt Stewart,George Chipper, Darren Spencer etc.But a special mention for Robert Prior at full back who showed a degree of maturity and awareness for such a young man coming in at such an important time.

And then there was Tom Ashton.

The main praise must go to the whole team however who applied themselves to what could have been a very difficult game but decided to go up a few gears to show us and themselves what they must strive for over the coming important weeks.