ROCHFORD CLINCH IT IN DYING SECONDS

For those of a nervous disposition please stop reading now.
 
As a game this was hardly a classic with too many errors and a wet pitch combining to make it a frustrating affair but for sheer nail biting tension it was up there with the best of them.

Rochford, at last, had the rub of the green and showed immense character when it was needed. They had territorial advantage for most of the game but, once again failed to put away chances when created. Both teams fought out a dour struggle for the most part with glimpses of good rugby but the wet and soft pitch put paid to fast flowing play and defences took control. The match was very tight for the whole 80 minutes and full of high tension which built up until the almost unbearable climax.

The home side had a dream start when their winger caught the Rochford defence napping with a well taken dash for the corner to put his side 5 points ahead. Kit Branch reduced the arrears with a penalty kick after some Rochford pressure play and followed up a little later in the half with another well hit penalty to take the lead.

This was short lived as North Walsham went ahead again with a penalty kick and reach half time 8-6 in the lead.

The game continued with both sides cancelling each other out but with Rochford always looking the more dangerous with ball in hand and set up a few scoring chances.

Branch slotted over his third penalty kick to regain the lead and his general control of the game at stand-off was impressive, and Dan Needham at centre combined well with him and Matt Stewart to give the Norfolk side plenty of problems. Unfortunately the visitors were unable to extend their lead and close off the game and this situation stayed the same for the rest of the half.

With both sets of supporters on tender hooks the game went into the final minutes with Rochford pressing for that vital breakthrough only for their attack to falter and North Walsham countered to take the ball right back into the Rochford half.

The home supporters realising that this was their team’s final chance raised the vocal tempo and the home side responding with renewed effort.
Good forward pressure was rewarded with a penalty under the posts and their kicker made no mistake and with only seconds of play left they took an 11-9 lead.

It was heart breaking stuff for Rochford but they took the kick off knowing they had to keep the ball in play.

This was where the character of the side came to the fore as they controlled a resulting scrum and then went through a number of patient phases.

The pressure finally told on the home side and the referee’s arm went up to award a penalty to the Essex outfit. It was not an easy kick being way outside the twenty metre area and off line.

The tension built as Kit Branch took his time to set up and then strike the ball but it sailed over and through the uprights. The referee blew the final whistle and the Rochford team breathed a large sigh of relief.

What was left of the supporters that were in a position to do so re-adjusted their pacemakers and made a quick exodus to the bar for a large pick-me-up.

In the grand scheme of things this was perhaps nothing special but make no mistake to Rochford it was a massive result at a crucial time and a marvellous morale booster.

It also took Rochford outside the danger zone where they must now keep themselves and to take every point that comes their way.

No consolation for the valiant North Walsham team who had victory snatched away in such a cruel way at the final hurdle but that’s how rugby can be sometimes.