ROCHFORD HIT TOP FORM JUST AT RIGHT TIME

After the disappointing win at Woodford two weeks ago and a massive National cup game next week the team needed to get back into gear.

That is exactly what they did on this bright and sunny afternoon at Magnolia Road with a terrific performance scoring 17 tries and they fully deserved the plaudits.

It was a great team effort from as they dominated all aspects of play from powerful set scrum, towering lineout and ferocious loose. Combine this with excellent support work and full commitment from each player and you have the makings of a titanic match next Saturday.

Camberley are also having a successful season, knocking up a great deal of points and on their own turf they will fancy their chances. It will be up to us to show otherwise.

But that’s for next week. Rochford have come good at the right time with the ever elusive Mark Billings leading the scoring with 5 tries, Mitchell Bennett with 3 tries and 2 apiece from David Rufai, Ben Johnson and Danny Cleare. Tom Ashton, Sam Edwards and Sam Fombo also scored a try each.

Apart from his try Ashton also kicked 9 conversions to complete the points count.

The scene was set from the kick off as Rochford moved the ball quickly and big Sam Fombo, who had a towering game playing number eight, sped through to score within seconds.

From there the home outfit just applied the pressure and ran in a further 7 tries with 4 conversions before half time to see them turn around 48 points up without reply.

Romford had no answer to the pace, power and lines of running that they had to deal with, but they never gave up and fought all the way.

The second half was no kinder to them as a further 9 tries were scored by Rochford, and Tom Ashton added 4 conversions.

Rochford were intent on concentrating on keeping the momentum going right to the end but had to concede a well deserved try from the visitors after some sustained pressure on the Rochford line. They added the extra 2 points but that was as good as it got for them and Rochford kept up the pace to add to their agony and could easily have scored more points in the process.

Excellent efforts from all the team and it is difficult to mention everyone individually but it was good to see ex Rochford boy Danny Cleare, playing on his old ground, and back from long term injury.

Sam Fombo had a huge game and young Dan Allison playing in the second row and David Rufai both did themselves proud as well.

Craig Strachan was also back from injury and it did not appear that he had been away such was the intensity of his play.

All looking fine and the fire back in the belly which will be really needed over the coming weeks and especially next Saturday.

Great stuff lads and let’s keep that fire burning.