ROCHFORD GRIND OUT A DESERVED WIN IN THE MURK

There was a time in the morning when this match was in doubt due to inclement weather but thank goodness from a Rochford point of view that it did go ahead to achieve a result that they worked so hard for and showed that grit and determination required to get it.

It was a deserved victory which probably could have been by more points such was the dominance of the home side in so many aspects of the game.

Rochford were happy enough to record this win especially after their previous outing against Woodford earlier in the season when they let themselves down on the day.

From the off the team looked like they meant business and used their strong forwards to drive the ball up field and play off the base they gave.

It was from one of these that saw impressive flanker Louis Warner break free to storm up the pitch to score under the posts.

Matt Stewart added the two points and for most of the first half it was all Rochford dominating possession and territory.

Only good Woodford defence and some slack finishing kept the score board the same until late in the half when Woodford opened their account with a well taken drop goal to reduce the deficit to 7 – 3 at the turn round.

The home side had controlled the set scrum very well and the line out was effective where, once again,Greg.Whight won excellent ball at the back to set up a number of powerful forward drives.

In the backs Mark Billings created many chances with his incisive runs and wing Sam Edwards was having a great afternoon causing havoc in the Woodford defence.

The visitors were no slouches themselves and had come to play rugby as they had as much to gain in winning as their hosts and their early second half efforts were rewarded with a try which put them one point ahead.

They took the game to Rochford and it became a real slog for both sides as conditions deteriorated and it was going to be the side that kept their discipline and error count down that would prevail.

Rochford ’scrum continued to dominate and both sets of forwards fought hammer and tong for supremacy but as the match progressed it was the home side that looked stronger.

The boys in black pushed hard for another score and it came in the form of Stewart who finished off a great catch and drive from the line out and excellent handling by the backs and Steven Jay fed his captain who ran between the post to score .Unfortunately the conversion was missed but were in front again and they were not going to let that go.

Shortly after Stewart increased their lead with a penalty kick to take the score to 15 - 8

A few more very tense minutes as Woodford threw everything at the home side but then Rochford countered and kept the pressure on the Woodford line right up to the final whistle.

A very good team performance once again and a number of excellent individual efforts especially from Edwards, Doherty, Billings, De-Bellefontaine, Jay and Matt White is also getting his form back after injury.

In the forwards Max Bacon, Tom Corbet, Greg Whight, and Warner made hard yards in the loose. The front row of Mark, Bevan, Wiseman and later Hughes were the anchor of the set piece but every player played their part and can take credit for another good result.