On one of the hottest days of the year Rochford produced some very hot play to fit the weather with a convincing 7 try display of running rugby to see off North Walsham.

It did not start that way as the visitors took an early lead from a forward drive to see their no.8 dive over for a converted try.Rochford immediately replied in the best way possible by an excellent finish to some quick fire rugby by live wire flanker Andy Baker running over to score and Tom Ashton kicked a terrific effort from the touchline to convert.

This seemed to galvanise the team as straight from the next kick off hooker Tom Corbet speed through the Walsham defence to score another try and within a matter of minutes from the start of this free flowing game Rochford were 12 – 7 up.

The reshuffling of the pack with impressive James Needham filling in at lock and Darren Spencer in the back row had the desired effect .The set piece was very secure and as the game went on applied enormous pressure on the North Walsham scrum and the forwards were able to launch a number of moves from this base.

The lineout was also working efficiently with Murphy, Needham and Chipper winning plenty of good ball for Dan Bracknell to distribute to his excellent back division.

Another try ,this time from captain Ashton sent Rochford further ahead especially as he also converted it but late in the half the Norfolk outfit came back and were awarded a penalty chance which their full back duly took to bring the half time score to 19 -10 to the home team.

Rochford in the past have found it difficult to up the pace of a game in the second session as it looked that might happen again as North Walsham, who were no slouches themselves with ball in hand narrowed the gap when their scrum half darted over to score for a converted try .

At 19 -17 it was getting a bit close but as the heat began to take it’s toll Rochford looked the fitter and more lively side and that was how it proved.

From then on in it was all Rochford as they opened up to show off some of the skills we all know they possess but this time they finished off the chances they created, although some still went begging.

Robert Prior, having an excellent game on the wing went over for a fine try for Ashton to convert. Captain Ashton kicked a penalty to put Rochford into a 29 -17 lead.

The writing was now on the wall for a tired North Walsham outfit who had worked hard to keep up with the home side but another try by winger Prior and then a well taken try by sub.James Dorrington was the final nail in the coffin.

The icing on the cake saw tireless flanker Andy Baker scorch over for his second try and for the immaculate Ashton to slot over to take his side over the forty points mark.

A fine win with both forwards and backs combining so well to prove that given the chance they can convert pressure into points .The set scrum gave the team the platform to attack and quick ball from the breakdown always makes Rochford a dangerous team to play against .

They will need all this new found confidence next week when they travel up A12 to take on league leaders Colchester. Now that would be something.