BACK TO WINNING WAYS

After the disappointments of the past two weeks Rochford made amends by putting on a display of dominant rugby against their old rivals Campion at Magnolia Road.

In front of a large crowd the home team started as they continued all afternoon by attacking through their impressive forwards and revitalised backs.

Ironically this led to Campion scoring first as Rochford were so committed to attacking their opponents on their touchline that they left themselves exposed at the back.

A breakdown in an attacking move in the Campion 20 metre area saw the Romford side kick loose ball up the field, chased and picked up to score under the posts.

Campion 7 points ahead against the run of play in first few minutes but Rochford struck back straight away and wing Sam Edwards finished off a fine move to run in under the posts for Simon Ashton to convert and bring the sides level.

Rochford dominated scrum. Lineout and loose for the rest of the half and their back line looked far more organised and effective, due to a large extent on the return of Matt Stewart to the centre and the aggression of Edwards on the wing. Stewart brought a mixture of experience, penetration and coolness which has been missing over past weeks.

Another factor is the growing influence of scrum half Ricki Gould providing quick ball for Ashton and the rest of the back line as well as his darting runs..

Campion defended with gusto on a number of occasions to frustrate Rochford who also let themselves down with a lack of finishing when they had done the hard work and a final pass would go astray or a wrong option taken.

Pressure told in the end though and a well worked move saw impressive no.8 Andrew Bevan use his power to drive over for a try and for Ashton to add the extra two points.

Just before half time livewire Ricki Gould darted through a Campion stretched defence to add a further five points and see his team turn round 19 -7 up at the break.

More of the same in the second session with Rochford controlling the ball supply for the most part but also having to defend well as well as Campion were always a threat with ball in hand and especially out wide when they had it.

The next Rochford score came when an attacking lineout near the visitor’s line evolved into a hard driven maul and where powerful Andrew Bevan broke away and slipped a neat pass to Gould who dashed through to score.

24 -7 up and a try bonus point in the bag allowed the home side to relax a little and the game drifted along that way with a few more opportunities missed and also a bit of defending to do as well .

It also did not help Rochford’s momentum when, due to front row injuries, Campion had to resort to uncontested set scrums in the latter part of the game either.

Another lapse in concentration by Rochford was ceased upon by Campion in the closing minutes of this entertaining match as they sped over for a consolation try.

Another good week for the Rochford pack who are becoming a well organised unit and the second row combination of Captain Sam Tape and Scott Wheeler is beginning to pay dividends.

The loose play of the likes on Jake Knowles, Tom Corbet, Scott Chivers, Andrew Bevan and others are having a positive effect in providing good quick ball for their team mates.

With other unavailable players coming back can only be good news for Coach Michael Guess and his squad who will be looking to put a run of wins together which will build up their confidence levels and climbing up the league table into a healthier position.

Keep up the good work as it will be needed again next week against old rivals Romford at home.