FRUSTRATED ROCHFORD FAIL TO TAKE THEIR CHANCES

Nobody watching this enjoyable match could deny the quality of some of Rochford’s exciting ball play but once again they failed to put away their chances.

On a number of occasions they opened up the defence of a good Diss outfit but let themselves down in their finishing ability.

Against a big and well organised side speedy Rochford applied terrific early pressure to force the home side into their twenty two area.

A clearance kick was charged down by the excellent stand off Dan Needham who gathered the loose ball and ran over for a well taken try .

Tom Ashton duly kicked the conversion and the visitors took the lead.It did not last too long as Diss responded with some good rugby of their own.They were rewarded when their stand off ran in for a try which was converted to level the score.

In spite of two late cry offs in the forwards Rochford’s pack performed with gusto and were full of aggression and there was an intensity in their play which kept Diss under pressure.This resulted in a penalty kick which Ashton put over to regain the lead but the home side fought back to score a try which was duly converted.

Every time Rochford gained possession they took the game to Diss and some interplay between forwards and backs was outstanding with the likes of both Needham brothers, Tom Ashton, Andy Baker and George Chipper particularly impressive.

Ashton slotted over another penalty for Rochford to reduce the deficit to 13 -14 but Diss again responded well using their pack to force errors.The visitors gave away a penalty and they were punished with a further three points but going into the break at 13 -17 down Rochford would not have been too displeased but a long kick by Diss to find a touch in the Rochford twenty two metre area and a fumbled lineout let Diss’s forwards drive over the line to score and the conversion brought the first half to an end.
It was just what Rochford did not want as it gave heart to the home side and they started the second half with renewed vigour.

During this third quarter the Essex boys were put under some enormous pressure especially losing Ross Murphy to a yellow card but some tremendous defensive work spread over numerous scrums and lineouts kept Diss out.

It was a terrific effort and temporary flanker Tom Ashton played a captain’s role in the set scrum to counter the Diss set piece.

There was no more score in the second half but it was a case of Rochford putting their bodies on the line and continuing to play with the intensity of the first session and counterattacking when they got their hands on the ball.Chances were created as already mentioned but either silly errors or poor decision making let them down.

Credit to Diss because they played some good attacking rugby themselves but also were able to deny Rochford any decent ball for crucial periods of the second half.

The game drew to it’s conclusion but the visitors pushed hard for a losing bonus point as all they needed was a try. They went through phase after phase in the Diss twenty two with the clock running down but just could not get the point their play deserved.

The final whistle blew and it was a case of what might have been but certainly Rochford’s performances are getting better each week and surely a break will come soon for them. Perhaps next week at home to North Walsham might be the one.