THE IDEAL WAY TO ANSWER THEIR CRITICS

A much improved Rochford put on an impressive display to beat top of the table and unbeaten Diss at Magnolia Road.

The team knew they had to step-up to the mark if they wanted to come away with a good result against their old rivals and that is just what they did.

Due to injuries and unavailability of some regular players head coach Michael Guess played his first game of the season in the front row and Harry Chipper came into the back row and both had impressive games.

Diss have a big, strong forward unit and from the off started to apply pressure and anchored themselves in the Rochford half for the majority of the first half but in spite of all their efforts only came away with one unconverted try.

This was because the home team’s defence was outstanding and disciplined. Time and gain they foiled their opponent’s attempts to break the line with fierce tackling and forced Diss into making mistakes. Both forwards and backs combined well to keep Diss at bay.

It also has to be said that the Norfolk side did not help their own cause by taking wrong options and making errors at crucial times.

As is often the case when sides soak up pressure for long periods they can break out and score and in this encounter that was what happened.

Just at the stroke of half time Rochford broke clear and counter-attacked putting some good rugby together. A fine piece of individual skill by standoff Matt Stewart saw him take the ball and run at the defence, floating a delicate kick over their heads, gather and score under the posts for Simon Ashton to add the extra two points.

A big psychological advantage for the home team to go ahead 7-5 as the final whistle of the half went.

Rochford gained in confidence in the second session and an Ashton penalty kick early on increased the score line to 10-5.

The forwards had played with fierce purpose all game and their set scrummage was giving Diss a torrid time up front but they also started to win more ball in the lose and lineout where the return of Sam Tape made a difference.

In the backs talented young scrum half Ricki Gould has now settled in well and is performing with confidence especially as the forwards are producing more quality ball. Matt Stewart had another influential match and Sam Edwards and Brett Smith linked nicely in the centre.

Scott Wheeler as usual, and Max Bacon were having impressive games as were all the other forwards including Chipper who ,unfortunately ,sustained an injury and had to come off.

This did allow the return of Dan Needham who came into the centre and Brett Smith moved into the back row and this move paid immediate dividends as from a forward drive near the Diss line Smith forced his way over to score and take his team to 15-5.

Diss are a hard, seasoned side and they forced their way back into the game with some fast rugby and were rewarded with a try to reduce the arrears to 15 – 10 and suddenly they were back into this tight match.

It became even tighter when they then slotted over a penalty to be only two points behind and the spectre of another Holt type game looked a possibility.

Rochford had obviously learnt lessons from that match and they kept their heads and controlled play in those final few minutes and it paid off.

The men in black were awarded a penalty kick after going through a few forward phases and Simon Ashton calmly put the ball between the uprights as the final whistle blew.

A terrific morale booster for the boys who deserved their victory against a quality side but they are going to have to find that little extra again in two weeks time when they travel away to high flying Saffron Walden.

Never an easy place to go to but in this mood they can beat any side in this league.