ANOTHER ONE SLIPS THROUGH THE NET

The number of games that Rochford can look back on and say they could or even should have won seems to keep piling up.

This game was one such and if Rochford had kicked all the penalty chances they had the match would have been well won. A first half that was, for the most part, dominated by the away side showed no return for the dominance of possession and territory they had but through basic errors allowed Ruislip to score two converted tries.

For the first twenty minutes the home outfit did not progress further than the half way line such was the strength of Rochford’s effort but a number of scoring chances, including kickable penalties went begging.

Lineout, loose and tight play all combined well to give Rochford plenty of ball which the likes of Dan Bracknell, Dan Needham, Matt Stewart, James Needham, Darren Spencer and others used to good effect to keep a lively , but error strewn Ruislip on the back foot. As has often been the case in this league when teams get an opportunity to score they do so and Ruislip were very efficient in exploiting some rather naïve Rochford play and slack defence.

A breakaway try by Ruislip after all that Rochford pressure was a hammer blow and then another later in the half saw some heads go down but they only had themselves to blame. Rochford turned round down 0 -14 down but had the slope in their favour in the second session. After some hard talking at half time, Rochford came out with renewed vigour and pulled themselves together.

A good attacking move resulted in debutant wing Laurie Scaniglia-Cooke speeding over after centre Stewart broke through to supply a classy pass for the wing to show off his pace. Dan Needham converted the try and suddenly there was “game on “.

A quick second try by captain Stewart brought the score to 12-14 and soon after Scaniglia –Cooke out ran the opposition to score his second try. Unfortunately in so doing he pulled a hamstring and had to retire but he had given Rochford the lead for the first time.

Ruislip responded well and came back at their visitors putting together some fast, flowing rugby which was rewarded with a converted try when their prop touched down after sustained forward driving .The scoreboard now showed 17-21 with time ticking away.

Poor defensive play by the boys in black allowed Ruislip an opportunity to attack in their twenty metre area and the home side took the offer with a try in the corner and put paid to any notion of Rochford getting the victory that they desperately needed.

In the dying seconds of this frustrating match the Essex boys launched a final effort and went through many phases to get something for all their hard work. No try came but Rochford were awarded a penalty and Matt. Stewart slotted over the kick to gain a losing bonus point which could be very important when the season finishes.