ANOTHER SET BACK FOR REBUILDING PROCESS

This was a strange game marred, from Rochford’s point of view, by some inconsistent refereeing from a young, inexperienced referee officiating in his first senior match.

Unfortunately the circumstances effected the visitors more than Woodford as most decisions seemed to go against them.

Having said that good sides have to overcome these obstacles and knuckle down and get on with it which they did not do for the majority of the game.

Ironically when the match was beyond them at 0 – 31 with ten minutes to go did the team show what they are capable of and scored 19 points in a frantic last spell.

It was not all doom and gloom as Rochford performed very well in the lineout where Greg.Whight was outstanding at the back .Also the set scrummage was again dominant most of the afternoon helped by the return of Scott Wheeler and when they put their minds to it Rochford looked like they could have taken Woodford apart with their driving mauls.

The forwards are developing into a useful unit which is something that is positive and a basis to build on.

It was certainly not Rochford’s afternoon as in spite of early promise Rochford conceded two converted tries and two penalties without reply before half time to lag 0-20 at the break.

Perhaps the boys were relying too much on their recent second half comebacks to catch up and overhaul the Woodford score. That ambition was soon put to rest as the home outfit were a competent and organised outfit and were determined to finish off their opposition which they duly did with another try and two more penalties from their excellent kicker.

Try as hard as they could Rochford were unable to break away and just did seem to have their hearts in it until that last few minutes when they burst out for Nik Grier and then Marcus Spremulli to score crossing over after some very determined attacks .Finally another last ditched attack saw fiery flanker Scott Turner rewarded by an excellent try.

All a little too late and we are left to wonder what the result would have been if that determination and commitment could have been spread over the previous seventy minutes.

Romford at home next week and another must win match. Nothing is easy this season but anything worth having is never easy. It has to be worked for.