ROCHFORD EDGE IT IN THIS CLOSE FOUGHT CONTEST

Campion gave Rochford a run for their money as they rallied late in the game to nearly cause an upset.

It was the visitor’s terrific defence and powerful forward play plus the boot of Scott Horsburgh together with a touch of opportunism from Matt Stewart that was enough to see them gain a valuable away win and put them into 4th place in the table.

It was evident from the start that this was a completely different outfit from the one Rochford had beaten at home and the Magnolia Road boys had to work hard to keep the home team at bay even though they had the benefit of the slope and strong sun in their favour in the first half.

Their cause was not helped with an early injury to lively flanker Jake Knowles but ever competitive Scott Chivers came on allowing the impressive Tom Corbet to go into the back row.

Early scrummage and lineouts were hit and miss but gradually the pack sorted themselves out and started to show that power that they have built up over past matches.

Pressure on the Campion line through one scrum after another was sufficient for the referee to award Rochford a penalty try which Scott Horsburgh converted into a 7 point lead.

As often happens points are given away soon after a score and the classy Campion centre broke through, shrugged off a couple of tackles, to run in under the posts for a converted try to level the match.

Once again Rochford’s power play came into its own as an almost identical situation arose as the previous try with enormous pressure exerted by the forwards and the referee had no option but to award another penalty try and Horsburgh added the extra two points to take his team into a 14 -7 advantage.

This score stayed the same until the break but the visitors had the upper hand and looked good for their lead.

Campion struck first in the second half with a penalty kick to reduce the deficit to 14 -10 but Rochford kept playing the ball through forwards and backs to launch a number of attacks with slick passing and some long kicks.

It could be argued that there was, sometimes, too much kicking but when it is used properly it can be very effective.

Good ball was won from a loose maul and sped out to stand off Matthew Stewart who broke through and chipped over the defence with a neat kick which he chased and secured to run in under the posts.

Scott Horsburgh duly added the extra to extend the lead to 21 -10 and Rochford looked like they had sewn up the game, particularly, as Campion showed signs of tiredness creeping into their game.

Appearances can be misleading as they rallied and using long, racking kicks and some good lineout options they forced their way back into the match.

Their efforts were rewarded late in the game with a converted try to bring the score line to 21 -17 and with added gusto the home side threw everything at their opponents.

Rochford’s defence all afternoon had been top rate and no more so than now as they defied Campion and turned over possession to force their way back up the field.

More attacking play by the boys in black won them a penalty and Horsburgh was only too pleased to add a further 3 points.

Surely this was enough as the clock wound down but Campion came back again and this time they did score a try but way out on the wing and were unable to convert to take the score to 24 -22.

Somehow the Rochford defence kept their heads and stopped the home team from adding any more points but it was a close run thing.

Another excellent performance from the team with some awesome tackling and loose play and a special mention to the pack whose set play was the business and where every player put in a big game.

The one man who stood out was second row Scott Wheeler who was everywhere in the tight and loose and who is building up a fine reputation at the club.

Tom Corbet was another who shone but again every player played their part in moulding Rochford into a team to be reckoned with over the coming weeks.

A hard worked for away win against a good side and Rochford are going to have to do it all again next week away at Romford and Gidea Park.