ROCHFORD GET OFF THE MARK WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN

It looked like another one of those afternoons that Rochford have had to endure this season being 19 – 7 down at half time and rueing their missed chances.

This Saturday was different as a resurgent Rochford took Holt apart in the second session with three converted tries and two penalties to Holt’s single penalty kick.

After a good opening few minutes by the home team without reward Holt launched a counter attack and managed to run through under the posts for a converted try.

This was quickly followed by another try before a forward drive by Rochford saw Michael Guess ground the ball and for Matt Stewart to convert.

A further late half try by Holt took them into a decent 19- 7 lead at the turn round.

We wondered, yet again, if Rochford could supply that second half surge that has been a feature of all games this season. Well they did and this time they meant to make it stick.

Rochford’s scrummaging was excellent all afternoon which laid the foundation but also they fought and supported so well in the loose against a confident Holt side that thought they must have done enough to come away with a result.

It seemed even more like they would when Holt went further ahead with a penalty kick but that was a good as it got for them.

Lively hooker come flanker Nik Grier started the comeback with an excellent try and is becoming a big asset to the side. Skipper Stewart slotted over a penalty to bring his team within one score of the opposition.

Not to be outdone wing Sam Edwards, who was having a great game with his direct running and tackling sped over for a deserved try and Stewart added the two points to level the scores.

Next up was full back Mark Billings, who had been a danger all game with his sharp running, found space and raced through for a fourth and bonus point try.

Once again Matt Stewart converted for Rochford to take the lead in a game this season.

At 29-22 with ten minutes left on the clock the match became a little tense to say the least especially as the Norfolk outfit found some extra strength and determination to throw everything at the home team.

Rochford however, had found that confidence and guts to make sure that this was going to be their afternoon and finished strongly and nearly scoring another try.

It was left to Stewart to finishing off a most satisfactory performance with his boot to kick a final penalty to take his side to a well-deserved max point’s victory as the icing on the cake.

Holt played well but were up against a side that had a great deal to prove to themselves and who knew that they had not been previously playing to their potential.

This week they showed that there is a lot more to come and perhaps this was the game that turns round their season.

Terrific performances from all and although I would love to mention everybody it was good to see Michael Mark getting really involved up front and even seeing him sell an outrageous dummy during one of his drives. Substitute Ryan Stephenson rolled back the years and made a big difference when he came on.

Scott Goodliffe showed why he should be playing more first team rugby. Coach Guess having to play at present brought that power, stability and experience when needed and Daniel Dieu-De Bellefontaine at centre had another impressive game.

More important this was an impressive team performance and each player can take credit for what could be an important result for their team.

Unfortunately the boys have no game next week but take on Woodford away the following Saturday.