RAMPAGING ROCHFORD RUN RIOT !

Poor Harlow were overrun by the skill and fitness of this Rochford team that is now starting to reap the benefits of all the good work that they and their coaches have put in with a ten try bonanza.
In a display of attacking rugby played at speed and full of commitment Rochford showed the type of rugby we all know they are capable of playing and a workmanlike, but average Harlow side were on the receiving end of it.
There was no clue to the way this game would pan out even after an early Tom Aston penalty put the home side ahead. The youthful and competitive Harlow outfit came back straight away and applied enormous pressure on the Rochford try line and only superb defending kept the visitors at bay.
This pressure went on for many minutes but Harlow could not convert all this ball into points and Rochford weathered the storm.
The home side gradually took control and after a combination of fast flowing rugby and quick hands Ashton dived over for a try. A few minutes later he again got on the score sheet with another penalty.
From a lineout on the Harlow line flanker Alan Barker took the ball and could not believe his luck when he turned and found the try line beckoning and everybody just watching as he strode over for the softest of tries, which Ashton duly converted.
This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors as their defence crumbled and two more tries by full back Sam Barnes and number 8 George Chipper followed before the half time whistle.
With the score at 28 – 0 the game was all but won but Rochford needed to keep the pressure on and that is exactly what they did. I will mention powerful performances from the likes of Scott Chivers, Andy Baker and many others but this was defiantly a team effort with each player putting that little extra extra for the sake of the whole and it showed in the general support play and commitment in every phase of this absorbing match.
Next up was Alan Barker again with a more satisfying try from his point of view using his powerful frame to drive over. Ashton converted as he did again when speedy wing Greg Stubbs ran three quarters of the field to score under the posts.
Full back Sam Barnes, who had been impressive all game, scored his second try before sub Matt Norris, making a return from injury, went over for a trademark “Norris“ try.
Harlow did score a consolation try with an interception which they were delighted with late in the game but that was as good as it got for them.
Dan Needham scored the next which Ashton converted and flanker Andy Baker completed an outstanding afternoon by running in for the final try and it was only apt that Ashton brought proceeding to an end with the conversion.
It would be long winded of me to go into details of all the excellent personal play but it was a team performance of the highest standard and a credit to all.
Team: Chivers, McMahon, Berry (Wright), Tape, Stephenson (Norris) Barker, Baker, Chipper, Forbes, Needham, Barber (Stewart), Spencer, Ashton, Stubbs, Barnes.

Graham Pratt

HARLOW RFC Match Report:

Rochford are eight points clear at the top of the league and almost certain to clinch promotion. With several key players missing Harlow were always going to find this game hard. The loss of their fly half James McFerran after 20 minutes added to their problems. Will Grimley move in from the wing to cover the No 10 slot and Adam Mills came on to cover the wing slot. However it left Harlow with a backs line up that had never played together before and against a side who were fast and with superb ball skills it was going to be difficult. When in possession Harlow performed reasonable but their lack of experience working together as a unit made them very vulnerable as a unit. The Rochford three quarters well supported by their fast mobile back row took full advantage.

Harlow conceded a penalty in the first two minutes but then for most of the first quarter pressured Rochford forcing them to defend in their own 22. On two attacks Vanbeck was held up just short of the line and on another Eynon almost got over mid field on crash ball. However the home side moved to an 11 point lead with a try and a second penalty largely against the run of the play. In the second quarter they then cut loose leaving Harlow to defend against string running attacks ball in hand. The result was three more tries on converted to give them a 28 – 0 lead at half time.

In the opening five minutes of the second half Rochford ruled out any chance of a Harlow comeback with two converted tries for a 42 – 0 lead. Harlow rather than admit defeat fought back strongly for the next fifteen minutes and put a lot of pressure on Rochford. They played to their strengths keeping the ball much more with the forwards but at the start of the last quarter the home side ran in two unconverted tries in as many minutes to take the score to 52 – 0. Almost immediately they tried to launch another running move but Harlow skipper Eynon playing at No. 8 read the move and intercepted the pass just inside the Harlow half. He sprinted sixty yards down the wing outpacing two defenders for a try in the corner. In the last ten minutes Rochford hit back with two more converted tries for a 66 – 5 final scoreline.