ANOTHER SECOND HALF SURGE JUST NOT ENOUGH

It was, once again, a case of what might have been. After dominating the early stages of this hard fought encounter without due reward Rochford then allowed Cantabs. To counter and put themselves into a strong first half lead.

Mike Guess’s team then forced a spirited fight back to be within two points of victory only to let that slip and give away a late try that sealed a first win for the very relived Cambridge side.

Matt Stewart opened the scoring with a penalty kick before a counter attack from Cantabs. after some sloppy Rochford play allowed them to go 7 -3 ahead.

At this stage Rochford dominated the set scrum with some powerful drives and looked lively in the loose, especially when the forwards close quarter play kept putting the home side on the back foot but, wrong options and slack work gave Cantabrian the chances they needed out wide to expose weaknesses in Rochford’s defence to score two more converted tries before the break.

With the visitors trailing 3 – 21 at half time Rochford needed to respond positively and they did just that.

Reverting back to their strength up front with the likes of the Bevan boys, Michael Guess, Nik Grier, Greg Whight, Jake Knowles and others using their skill and experience the team were soon rewarded with a well worked try from Andrew Bevan showing all his power to drive over for a try which Stewart duly converted to reduce the margin to 10 -21.

Andrew Bevan had been the pick of the forwards during the whole game but his second half display was outstanding. His brother Matthew was also pretty lively before having to retire through injury.

Another player that impressed was debutante centre Daniel Dieu-De-Bellefontaine who made some good runs and looked comfortable with ball in hand which can only be a plus for a team that needs to boost their confidence levels at present.

Cantabs. Exploited some poor Rochford kicking and ran in another try to get their bonus point but the visitors came back again when Greg Whight, who had been doing some sterling back of the lineout work all afternoon ran over for a try.

Stewart added the extra two points before Mark Billings showing that touch of class ran, wriggled and side stepped in for a further try under the posts for Matt Stewart to convert and put Rochford in an excellent position just 24-26 behind.

The home outfit looked dejected and the game should have been there for the taking as the boys in black were really forcing play.

However, it was not to be as late in the match the blue and whites regrouped and a good attacking piece of rugby along the touchline saw them dive over for a heart breaking try.

A few minutes left to force a draw but time ran out a dejected Rochford came away with a losing bonus point but it could and perhaps should have been more.