HUNDRED SEE OFF CHELMSFORD TO REMAIN TOP DOGS

It was always going to be a hard test against their old rivals and so it was with the visitors looking strong in attack and winning a steady supply of ball up front from their scrummage. There is, however, another dimension to Rochford’s game which through necessity has evolved due to the lack of dominance in the set pieces and works very well from good lineout and fast effective loose play.
This showed to great effect within five minutes of the start when centre Tom Ashton once again displayed his skills to glide through the opposition defence to score a fine try. Chelmsford quickly replied after applying some forward pressure to even the score with a try by Mike Stallwood.
A pleasing feature from Rochford’s point of view was the way the lineout went all afternoon where George Chipper, Chris Davies and particularly Ryan Stephenson won and stole ball to good effect. Flanker Andy Baker pulled Rochford ahead, finishing off a skilful move which Ashton converted. Chelmsford kept the pressure up with some good, running rugby but were unable to finish off, either by poor handling or robust Rochford defence. They did however manage to pull three points back with a penalty from Dan Traylor just before half time to bring the score to 12 – 8 to the home side.
The second session was a different story as Rochford gradually started to control more aspects of the game and Chelmsford cause was not helped by two yellow cards at crucial times in the half. Big flanker Alan Barker who had a had a storming game was rewarded for his work when he powered over for a try before retiring injured. Tom Ashton converted the try to take the home side further away from a tiring Chelmsford.

Ex captain Matt Norris, returning after a two week break came on for Barker and quickly stamped his authority with some strong bursts to open up the Chelmsford defence. With the likes of Josh Berry, Scott Chivers and David Coombe also full of running the visitors line was put under siege and Norris in his usual fashion drove over for a well deserved try. To cap another fine performance Ashton converted to keep him on top of the league’s point scorers list and completed a good afternoon’s work.

Coach Dean Cutting was very pleased with his team’s attitude and commitment but knows there are still difficult weeks ahead with Thurrock, Brentwood and again Chelmsford to play before the Christmas break. Next week a rest from league action as Rochford host Hemel Hempstead in the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

Team:- Coombe, Chivers, Berry, Stephenson, Davies, Baker A (Stemp), Barker (Norris), Chipper, Forbes (Barnes) Needham, Baker J, Spencer, Ashton, Stubbs, Webb C.

Here's Chelmsfords Version !

Chelmsford slipped to their third league win on the trot at league leaders Rochford, but for much of the game were on a par with their opponents, and really if they had taken their chances in both halves the score could have been much closer. Unfortunately for Chelmsford they seemed to be on the wrong end of some of the referee's poor decision making and were punished by the home side when 3 of their 4 tries were scored when Chelmsford had 14 men on the field, due to 3 yellow cards being brandished by the referee.
The first 20 minutes of the match saw some of the best rugby played by two teams this season, but as the game progressed it lacked fluidity, mainly on account of the fact that the players on both sides became increasingly frustrated by the referee's poor performance and towards the end of the game, Chelmsford were just pleased to hear the final whistle, it became that frustrating for them.
In truth Rochford were perhaps more incisive with the ball in hand and their strong running backs troubled Chelmsford early on as well as their back row, who were dominant throughout the game. Rochford opened their account in the fourth minute when their fly half made a neat break and fed the ball to his inside centre who beat the cover to score. Chelmsford were forced to make changes to their back line and bring in youngsters, Nick Hankin and Alex Deacon. Shortly after the try Deacon showed his potential with a good turn of speed and then from a line out the ball was spun down the back line for wing Mike Stallwood to touch down in the corner. Chelmsford were now enjoying a good spell of pressure in Rochford's 22, but unfortunately couldn't turn this into points advantage.
Josh Grobler was yellow carded for retaliation and then Rochford had a chance to increase their lead from a penalty but failed. From a 22 metre drop out the ball was caught by Rochford and some good play by their backs saw their right winger beat two Chelmsford tackles to score a well worked try. Rochford were now leading 12 - 5 but Dan Trayler reduced the arrears with a 30 metre penalty to make the score 12 - 8 at half time.
Early into the half, Chelmsford were shown a second yellow card when Rob Randall was alleged to have raised his knees, a few minutes later Rochford increased their lead when their back row produced a good move and their open side flanker scored near the posts, increasing their lead to 11 points. Chelmsford managed to produce another 10 minute period of pressure in their opponents 22 metre area, but again they couldn't turn the pressure into points. As a spectacle the game now began to deteriate, and frustration came into Chelmsford's play. Skipper Kevin Prior was subsequently yellow carded for saying something to the referee and the game ended with Rochford scoring their fourth try to come out on top by 26 - 8.
Even in defeat, Chelmsford's Director of Coaching, Eddie Gooby was heartened by the performance, particularly as six of the squad were under 20 and three players were under 23. "All proved that they were capable of playing in this league, there was nothing between the two teams, but three sin binnings and playing with 14 men for 30 minutes took its toll on the team, and Rochford only scored during these periods. The work rate was excellent and the control was good, so as a coach I couldn't ask for anymore from this young team.