What a great day to remember! It all came right on the day as Rochford clinched the title in style scoring eight tries and playing the rugby that has been their hallmark throughout this hard and exciting season.

The weather was warm and sunny and the biggest crowd of the season added the final touch to a perfect day for the home team.

Rochford needed to win with a bonus point to ensure finishing top and it was a good thing they achieved that as Braintree stomped Chelmsford 50 -5 only to end with the runners up slot.

Ignatians were a big, strong side who came to play rugby but it soon became apparent that Rochford, given the ball, were playing on a different level, which was summed up when full back Robert Prior opened the scoring with a classy run to split the Ignatians defence early on.

The home team increased the pace of the game and went for the jugular and another try from the every impressive hooker Tom Corbet flagged up the second try.

Ignatians used the power up front to apply pressure of their own but Rochford’s defensive work was up to the task and absorbed Enfield’s efforts and then return some of their own.

A number of slick pieces of play deserved further scores but Ignatians defence and some bad luck kept Rochford out.

The third try was an outstanding effort from centre Tom Ashton who found space and glided through to outpace the opposition to touch down and convert the try to take the score to 17 -0 and just one try short of the magical four needed.

At this stage Rochford became a little tense and over anxious which Ignatians exploited as their centre found room to run in for a converted try just before the break and to turn round 17 -7 and still had everything to play for.

It was a wake up call for the Magnolia Road outfit and they came out for the second half far more focussed. Although the set scrums were even Rochford had far the better of the lineout where, Tape, Chipper and all supplied plenty of good ball for young Dan Bracknell to feed his eager backs. Rochford’s forwards in the loose were aggressive and forced turn over ball on a number of occasions.

Stand-off Dan Needham was at his immaculate best making effortless breaks or setting up Ashton and Stewart in the centre. It was Mattie Stewart that provided the next try and he must have been delighted by his effort as he finished off a fine ,pacey move to storm over and secure the all important bonus point.

The team were now able to relax and concentrate on enjoying the game which they did with another try, this time from storming No.8 George Chipper in his inevitable style and Ashton followed up with his second try of the afternoon under the posts and converted his effort.

The score stood at 34 – 7 but the visitors never gave up the chase and were rewarded with a try after some powerful driving on the Rochford line. The Rochford set piece was pushed back over their line for Ignatians to ground the ball.
The boys needed to finish in style after that and this they did as they opened up with quick reactions from deep defence to attack .Wing Greg Stubbs was on hand to use his speed to dive over in the corner and then an excellent try from Dan Needham was no more than he deserved.

That man Tom Ashton brought to an end a terrific season for him and his team with the conversion and to trigger the start of the celebrations

It has been a roller coaster of a ride this season and we have been pushed all the way but the boys rose to the challenge playing, for the most part some wonderful attacking rugby from both forwards and backs and when needed dug deep to play some hard fought gritty stuff.

A season to relish and a tribute to Mark Sexton and Andy Lipscombe John Branch and all the squad for the massive work and commitment they have put in and the great team spirit it produced. A thank you to Adam for all his work with the sponsors and his assistance in making my job easier this season.

A big thanks must also go to our every faithful supporters who have been there for the boys in all weather throughout the season.

It has been a pleasure to have been part of it. Roll on next season and all the new challenges ahead.