ROCHFORD IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR WAY

Once again it is the story of Rochford flattering to deceive after putting in a very good first half to be 25 -19 up at the break after scoring four tries and securing a bonus point.

The danger signs were showing even then as the visitors allowed Old Colfes to score three tries of their own to keep in touch .

If Rochford’s defence had been up to their usual standard they would have been in a commanding position but that was part of their down fall.

It all started so well with an early Tom Ashton penalty which was followed by a storming Michael Stemp try after some good approach work.

Unfortunately Rochford then allowed Colfes . to scored a converted try of their own to reduce the lead to 8 – 7.

Rochford were playing some exciting rugby at this stage and a captain’s try by Ashton in the corner increased their lead again.

Ashton followed this up with a wonderful midfield break to outpace the opposition’s defence to score under the posts and which he duly converted.

Slack play by the visitors once again gave the old boys the opportunity to get back into the game which they did with two more tries, one of which was converted to bring them within one point of the Essex boys.

During the first half Rochford ,with ball in hand and running at the opposition, looked as if they could always score and this they did again before half time when hooker Scott Chivers finished off some excellent build up work.

The set scrum was efficient and steady but the lineout was not working well this week which is usually such an asset to Rochford’s play

With a 25 -19 lead at the turn round Rochford needed to keep their discipline and apply a little more pressure together with tightening up their defence and more scores would come.

More scores did in fact come but they were all from a committed Old Colfes side that found that little extra to go up a gear and take full advantage of poor Rochford tackling and general play.

They endeavoured to score five more tries, three of which were converted to destroy any hopes of a Rochford victory.

The boys in black did not do themselves any favours by poor decision making and execution when they did have the ball.

The South London side’s forwards overpowered the Rochford eight as they drove through them time and time again to open up space which they exploited to good effect.

A game to forget and a great deal of soul searching needs to be done between now and their next game against Eton Manor in two weeks time.