ROCHFORD TOUGH IT OUT IN HARD FOUGHT MATCH

It was a dour, closely fought encounter and not too pretty to watch but Rochford were full value for their deserved victory.

Both teams slogged it out on a wet and miserable afternoon and the home outfit won because they fought like demons in the loose with some very good tackling and more than held their own in the set pieces.

With a try apiece it was Matt Stewart’s two penalties that made the difference in the end and Rochford’s forward control in the last quarter that saw them through.

Both sides went at it from the start and Ipswich matched Rochford’s set scrummage and were good in the lineout.

Early forward power by the home team was, eventually, rewarded when some sustained pressure on the Ipswich line saw the pack drive over and Captain Sam Tape ground the ball to put his team into a five point lead.

Most of the first half was a hard grind in dour conditions with both sides trying to gain superiority. There was some, occasional, good back play which came to nothing but most of the rugby was played up front between two sets of determined forwards.

Late in the half Rochford pressure resulted in a penalty kick which Stewart slotted over to put his side 8 – 0 up at the break.

Ipswich started lively in the second session and a breakaway allowed them to run over to score in the corner and reduce the margin to 8 -5.

No more score until the final quarter when Rochford, who had grown stronger as the half progressed, were awarded a penalty in front of the posts.

Matt Stewart duly obliged by kicking the ball through the uprights to relieve the pressure but there were still some anxious moments going into the last few minutes as the Suffolk side threw everything at their opponents to get some more points on the board .

Rochford have learnt lessons from previous close encounters as they slowed the ball down and went through a number of forward phases to see out the game and get a deserved win.

Another accomplished team performance taking Rochford to eight unbeaten games now on the trot and excellent individual efforts from all.