Rochford full of Christmas cheer !

Delighted Rochford can look forward to their Christmas break after completing a successful first half of their league campaign against a Chelmsford side that did not take advantage of early domination and then ran out of steam. A superb second half performance from Rochford blew away their opponents and in front of a festive crowd on a windy afternoon sent their faithful followers away happy.
The first half started with Chelmsford attacking with the gusty wind behind them and playing down the slope and poor Rochford seemed to still be suffering from their hangover from the previous week. Chelmsford used the long kick to keep pressure on the visitors and with the visitor’s set scummage under pressure the home side soon went ahead with a penalty kick from stand off Dan Traylor. More sustained attack was kept at bay by excellent Rochford defence but a second penalty soon followed as Rochford transgressed and Traylor kicked Chelmsford further ahead.
In the lineouts young Bradley Day showed that he is a player for the future with a fine all round performance and the outstanding George Chipper worked tirelessly all game. Gradually Rochford began to wake up and put together some attacking moves which showed Chelmsford that given enough decent ball their rivals could cause havoc. Unfortunately the story of the first half was that Rochford could not get sufficient good ball to dominate.
After another period of Chelmsford pressure Rochford broke away and raced up field with some fast interpassing. On receiving the final pass winger Matt Barber took his chance and crashed through to open Rochford’s scoring. Barber who has been away from the game for a few seasons due to injury seems to have returned with a vengeance looking more mature and stronger and as the game progressed grew in confidence. Chelmsford had the final say of the half with another Traylor penalty to put them ahead 9 - 5 at the break.
It was a much improved Rochford side in the second session playing with the slope and wind which they took full advantage of with stand off Dan Needham showing off his many skills in forcing Chelmsford on the back foot and centre Tom Ashton sending raking kicks down the touchline. Some excellent play again saw Barber with the ball and he powered through the home defence to score a great try which Ashton converted. It was good to see the likes of Darren Spencer and Gregg Stubbs finding space to makes some decisive runs into Chelmsford territory and keep them pinned down in their half. The forwards worked more cohesively where prop Scott Chivers, second row Matt Norris and flankers Alan Barker and Andy Baker all looked impressive. Ashton put Rochford further in front with a well struck penalty but at 15 – 9 the game was still not won, although Chelmsford now appeared to be struggling. It was left to the excellent pack to put the final nail in Chelmsford's coffin as Rochford parked themselves a few metres away from the try line. From the set scrum, which was now working far better, prop Paul Ansell was driven over the line to emerge with a huge grin on his face and his first try for the club.
A big well done boys to be up there at the top of the class but the job is only half done and a massive second part of the season to come before any celebrations. It is in your capable hands to do it.
A Merry Christmas to you all and a very happy and successful new year, Graham Pratt.
Team: Berry, Chivers (McMahon), Wright (Ansell), Day, Norris, Barker, Baker, Chipper, Forbes, Needham, Barber, Spencer, Ashton, Stubbs, Stewart (Barnes).

Here's Chelmsford Take on Things from their website - 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."