BACK DOWN TO EARTH AGAIN

This was not one of Rochford’s finest games and it is best to put it behind them and get on with the matches ahead.

In fact they were outplayed in most aspects of play and were off the pace that was set by Romford from the start.

After the past few games when they had been building up a head of steam Rochford were firmly brought back to earth with a disappointing display against a good, workmanlike outfit that were always a few yards quicker in everything they did.

The visitors were three tries down within fifteen minutes before Captain Matthew Stewart reduced the margin with a penalty kick.

Romford then went and scored another try before a good catch and drive by Rochford near the Romford line was rewarded with the referee awarding a penalty try.

Stewart kicked the conversion and his two kicks were the only successful place kick efforts from both sides all afternoon.

That was fortunate as Romford went on to score three more tries all unconverted and if their kicker had put over only a few of them the score would have been a great deal more.

In the second half substitute front row Matthew Bevan came on to inject some more urgency into the Rochford effort and scored two tries both out wide but well taken.

The team can look back and reflect on how they were out powered in the set scrum, out jumped in the lineout and beaten for pace in the loose and just put it down to one of those weeks but they will have to pick themselves up and start all over again next week.

An Essex cup match at home against Harlow could remedy that and get the side back to winning ways especially with some hard league matches to come.