ANOTHER WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MATCH FOR ROCHFORD

It looked as if Rochford would run away with this important match as they started so much on top with territory and possession and an early well taken try from flanker Nik Grier which Matt Stewart converted.

Ipswich replied with a penalty kick before Rochford scored once again when Andrew Bevan finished off good quick ball from a scrum and fast hands through the backs to storm over.

The visitors set scrummage was dominant and their lineout was working well and at 3-12 things were looking good.

The Essex boys had their opponents on the run but unfortunately errors appeared into their game and this allowed the big Ipswich outfit to take advantage.

They did this just when they needed to and two quick tries in succession, one of which was converted saw them turn round at the break 15-12 ahead.

The second half began with Rochford again pushing hard for superiority and substitute flanker Louis Warner provided just the tonic when he was driven over the line by Rochford’s lively forwards after a period of aggression.

The visitors were ahead again and when another excellent effort from Grier put them further in front at 15-22 and obtaining a try bonus point as well it seemed as if their fortunes had changed.

Going into the last quarter it looked as if a deserved victory was on the cards and they just needed to be street wise and play percentage rugby to see the game out.

Nothing is ever that simple with Rochford and more lack of finishing, poor kicking and basic errors crept in and the Suffolk side could sense that if they kept their heads and continued to apply pressure through their big, heavy forwards something might give.

A late try was the result of their tenacity to narrow the deficit to 20-22 and although Rochford had further chances to draw away again they failed to do so and when Ipswich were reward a very late penalty it seemed inevitable that it would go over and so it did.

Now in the lead at 23-22 the home side played sensible basic rugby to count down the seconds and then kick the ball out of play to take the honours.

Good forward play in patches by Rochford where Andrew Bevan, Max Bacon, Nik Grier, Tom Corbet and others had good games and in the line out where Greg Whight continues to dominate were positives.

Sam Edwards did a good job at scrum half as did Jon Fitzpatrick when he took over later in the game and there was some good running in the backs where Bellefontaine, Mark Billings and Matt White showed good aggression.

The team as a whole however did not function for a full 80 minutes and will need to concentrate on that aspect as well as tightening up on their decision making, some aimless kicking and final execution before taking on Cantabrigian at home next week.

Rochford could have come away with a 5 point win but had to settle for 2 bonus points instead and a number of weeks ago they would have been quite happy with that, but this side expect more from themselves and that can only be a good sign of their improvement.