ROCHFORD THRILL WITH ANOTHER IMPORTANT HOME WIN

The weather was miserable and gloomy but Rochford lit up the afternoon with another powerful and skilful display against their more vaunted opponents and finished well deserved winners.

Right from the off Rochford went at Upper Clapton, not allowing them to settle and forcing a number of basic handling errors from them.

Although the Epping pack had the edge in the set piece in the first half the boys in black were very strong in their driving maul and lineout which they used to great advantage.

It was from this that their first try came when second row Scott Horsburgh was driven over the line by his pack and Matt Stewart duly converted.

Next up was scrum half Steven Jay who ran in for an excellent try after good approach work and captain Stewart added the extra two points.

The score stayed the same until half time and on the state of play it was no more than they deserved and, in fact, the score could have easily been higher as chances were missed.

It had been a well fought half with Clapton using their strength up front and Rochford moving the ball quickly through their backs and forwards and the spectators looked for more of the same in the second half.

They were not disappointed as Rochford continued to force themselves on their opponents and centre Marcus Spremulli duly obliged with an excellent try and Stewart converted to take the score line to 21-0.

All good sides have a little extra in them and Epping responded by upping their game to apply pressure of their own and were rewarded with a converted try to pull back the deficit.

During the game Rochford picked up three yellow cards at various times but it did not seem to affect their play too much as they were able to adapt their game successfully.

The visitors pulled back another try after some slack defensive work and at 21-12 doubts started to creep in but this is a much better, more organised and focussed Rochford now.

Marcus Spremulli sped through and chased after some aggressive Rochford forward play and beat the defence to the touchdown. Stewart did the honours with the kick and to see his side get their try bonus point.

With a substantial 28-12 lead Rochford were not going to throw this game away and with a further six points added through two penalties from Stewart’s boot against a tiring Epping outfit it was match won.

Once again Greg Whight controlled the back of the line out and was generally very lively in the loose as was Tom Corbet, Max Bacon, Nik Grier and others.

Coach Michael Guess playing at prop for most of the game added extra power and experience up front and Scott Horsburgh impressed in lineout and loose.

At scrum half Steven Jay again was instrumental in keeping his backs in play and using his skill and experience to create chances.

Stewart, Spremulli, Jon Baker, De-Bellefontaine and Marshall impressed and it was good to see sub Matt White return after a long injury and he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.

Full back Mark Billings was his usual excellent self and nearly scored another of those penetrating tries which sets the game alight but was unlucky on this occasion.

A terrific team performance at just the right time and if there is any criticism it would be at the chances made but not put away as the score line could have been more impressive.

Also the penalty count is still too high and the team needs to be more disciplined because through that they will achieve a great deal more and become a better team for it.

A massive game next week against local rivals South Woodham but with the confidence flowing from the boys and their determination and high skill level together with big support at home Rochford can look forward to the encounter and to balance the books after losing badly to them in the second league game of the season.