BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Rochford returned to league action after the disappointment of their defeat at Camberley with a workmanlike performance against Old Cooperians.

In the mud and wet at Magnolia Road they worked hard to get their bonus point win against a side that fought all the way and were a stronger unit than when the two teams met earlier in the season.

Old Coops started at a pace and Rochford had to defend with purpose but gave away a penalty in the process which the visitors kicked over to take the lead.

At this stage the home team were making some basic errors and making life difficult for themselves, but they weathered the storm and gradually began to win good ball.

When Rochford attack they are a force to be reckoned with and from some fast, direct running captain Matt Stewart finished off to score. He quickly followed up with another try to take his side further ahead at 10 – 3.

Rochford’s set scrum, anchored by the powerful front row of Brunger, Ferrier and Guess, was getting into full gear with some powerful drives and they used the driving maul to good effect to take the sting out of Cooperians tail.

Luke Court-Rhind and Sam Fombo won good ball from the line out and Rochford’s loose forwards such as Tom Corbet, Stuart Whatling, Joe Hurley and Fombo got into their stride winning decent ball but not before putting in some hard work to overcome determined opposition.

Impressive no.8 Fombo, turning up on the wing, scored an excellent try which Tom Ashton converted to extend the lead. The first half was finished off with a trade mark try from full back Mark Billings who collected ball from deep and glided through Old Coopers defence to score.

Turning round 22 – 3 ahead was a reasonable return for their efforts considering the poor conditions and a two week break but it was not vintage stuff from either side.

The second half was more of the same with the boys in black becoming stronger as Coops challenge faded.

Further tries from wing Mitchell Bennett, another from Fombo and a final effort from sub Dan Allison which was converted by Matt Needham took the final score to a reasonable level.

Rochford were made to work for their win but probably on a drier pitch the result might have been more but it was still a job well done and another hard game next week away at Harlow to look forward to.

On the down side a foot injury to the influential Tom Ashton who had to come off is worrying and a cut head to Matthew Needham will need to be monitored.