A VERY CLOSE RUN THING

Rochford got the result and the bonus point they desperately needed but they were made to work very hard for it.

The boys in black were not at their best and made far more basic errors than they should have but so did their opposition. Hammersmith and Fulham for the most part played the better rugby and deserved to go ahead by two converted tries without reply in the first quarter.

The visitors seemed to be in low gear and could not get their hands on much decent ball and when they did basic passing or tackling errors kept them on the back foot. Slowly Rochford forced themselves back into the game and started to put some phases together.

Stand-off Kit Branch, after missing a couple of opportunities at goal slotted over a penalty to reduce the arrears.

Both packs fought hard to dominate and, although the line outs were even, Hammersmith had the edge in the set scrum and seemed livelier in the loose. Both sides turned over too much ball for their own good but it made for a lively game for the spectators to watch but frustrating for the players.

Rochford, in spite of not being at their peak, are still a threat with ball in hand and they opened up the Londoners defence when they had the chance and created a number of chances and they just needed somebody to finish off the moves.

Along came wing Sam Barnes to do just that.He came to Rochford’s rescue with two well taken tries to bring the score line to 13-14 before a Hammersmith penalty finished the first half at 13 – 17 to the home side.

The second session was mostly Hammersmith and Fulham with the lion’s share of possession and territory but failing to finish.

They went over for a try early in the half to increase their lead but Kit Branch hit back with two excellent penalty kicks.

With the score at 19 -22 to the home team the game became a tense affair especially when Rochford centre Robert Prior beat the defence and out paced the opposition to run in under the posts and for Branch to convert.

Rochford were ahead for the first time at 26 -22 but this was short lived as Hammersmith struck back to score their fourth try which was converted to put them in front again at 26 -29.

Time was ticking away for Rochford who could see the game going away from them .They once again needed an extra little something going into the final minutes and up stepped second row Jack Pearce. Jack, who has been playing for the Essex side since Christmas has been a success story for the team and improves with each game. A fine number of phases by the visitors pushed the home side back into their twenty metres area and a final drive was finished off by Pearce crashing over for the all important fourth try.

Branch converted and Rochford were back in front at 33 -29 but had a scary last few minutes hanging on for the victory they so needed in the struggle to keep their heads above the regulation zone.

Not a classic win but the team worked hard for the result and, perhaps, were a little lucky in coming away with the win but sometimes luck plays an important part in a game and is never refused when it comes along.

Rochford will need to be on top form next week when they play host to second in the table Letchworth Garden City.