BENNETT LEADS TRY SPREE TO OVERWHELM ROMFORD

Wing Mitchell Bennett led this 13 try bonanza with a 5 try tally as Rochford blew away poor Romford to maintain their top league position.

Playing in their alternative red strip for the first time this season Rochford certainly looked on fire as the game progressed and as Romford tired from the shear effort of keeping them at bay.

This was Rochford at their skilful, entertaining best with powerful forward play and fast and supportive back play which Romford had no answer to.

The score line could have been even more if the visitors had not squandered early chances and then had to defend against determined Romford during the first quarter.

Although the boys in red were always dangerous with ball in hand and powerful in the set piece it took a while for them to settle their over exuberance and inspirational full back Mark Billings was there to do just that with an excellent try.

The floodgates then opened as Tom Ashton went over with a great effort followed by Tom Corbet with a typical effort.

Mitchell was having a splendid game nearly going over a number of times but then everything clicked for him as he ran in 2 tries before half time.

Ashton converted 4 of the tries to finish the half but not before the home outfit hit back with a converted try of their own to take the score to 38-7 at the turnaround.

That was as good as it got for the host team as the Rochford boys opened up to score 8 more great tries from Billings with 2 more, Stuart Whatling, Sam Edwards, Tom Pickering and Bennett with 3 more.

Ashton converted 3 of them and captain Matt Stewart 3 more, to complete an impressive afternoon of attacking rugby with plenty of fine individual performances.

Every player put in big games but Luke Court-Rhind was outstanding in tight and loose, Stuart Whatling as everywhere Dan Sowter had a towering game as did Ashton, Billings and Ricki Gould, David Rufai and Debutant Dan Allison also impressed.

I could mention every member of the side but in the end it was a very strong team performance with every player playing for each other and enjoyed doing so.

Keep up the very high standard you have set yourselves and take this into next week’s hard encounter with another team that is showing their paces, Harlow at Magnolia Road on Saturday.