ROCHFORD TOP DOGS

What a difference a week makes. From the dour, wet, stoppage strewn game of last Saturday to this 11 try bonanza in brilliant sunshine where Rochford were able to play near their best and was a joy to watch.

It was evident right from the start when “Bert” Radzevicious sped through to follow up a loose ball only to knock on over the line that the home side were keyed up for this match.

Bert soon made up for missing out by scoring the next two tries, one of which Cameron Greenhall converted.

Rochford dominated the set scrums and lineouts all afternoon and were quick to the breakdown where the likes of Jamie Douglas, Tom Corbet, James Kellard, Chris Shields, and Stuart Whatling led the onslaught on a hard working but limited Diss outfit. With so much good, quick ball scrum half Steven Jay was in his element getting his backs into play at every opportunity or taking the opposition on himself.

To their credit the Norfolk side never gave up the challenge but were always fighting a losing cause against their opponents who were in full throttle for most of the afternoon.

Next on the scoresheet was Danny Cleare, playing at full back in the absence of Mark Billings, who ran in for a bonus point try. Shortly after hooker Tom Corbet, returning to the side, went over and Greenhall converted and Tom was all around the pitch the whole game and impressed with his work rate and efficiency.

He also scored the next try and, again Greenhall added the extra points.

Diss rallied during this period and their efforts were rewarded by a late first half try which was duly converted. It has to be mentioned that during this late period of the first half Rochford had been reduced down to 13 men with yellow cards to Whatling and Sam Fombo for technical offences.

At the end of the first session the home outfit were in a commanding 31 – 7 lead but they needed to keep forcing the match as points difference is such a factor when it is so tight at the top.

Starting the second half with 13 men did not seem to make much difference as wing Radzevicious opened the second half scoring with a try in the corner which Cameron Greenhall slotted over and quickly followed by big, young flanker Joe Hurley another who had a good game, driving over and Greenhall adding the two points.

Injuries to influential prop Craig Strachan and Bert did not help matters but the try fest continued with new recruit, Sam Nash taking his place on the wing speeding through to score and then the ever youthful and commending James Kellard contributing a further try.

It was all one-way traffic as Rochford returned to full strength and poor Diss had no answer to the pace and support play of this emerging outfit that can only get better as they evolve.

To finish off the try scoring the increasingly confident stand off Greenhall went over for a try which Tom Ashton converted and to balance the books Ashton then scored and Greenhall converted.

A very good and pleasing day at the office especially as Colchester dropped a point in their victory over North Walsham and allowed Hundred to go to top spot with 5 bonus points wins in succession. Since the beginning of last season to present week Rochford have played 29 league games and have won every one of them with bonus points. It must be some sort of record.

A note of caution that we must not get carried away with this as there is a long way to go and many very good teams just waiting to have a go at us. So be aware lads of the old adage that you are only as good as your last game. Mind you that was pretty good.