ROCHFORD VICTORY LIGHTS UP GLOOMY AFTERNOON

On a miserable and gloomy Saturday, the Rochford All Blacks came through a hard-fought test against a good and aggressive Eton Manor side.

Manor forced the home team to rush their play and make basic errors in the first half, but the boys rallied in the second to open up and win convincingly in the end.

Considering that Rochford totally dominated the set scrums and, particularly, the lineouts all afternoon the task should have been easy but the East London outfit are made of stern stuff and competed in open and loose play.

Having said that the first score was only minutes into the game when the impressive second row Sam Fombo forced his way through and ran in for a well-earned try in the corner.

Sam’s partner in the second row Jamie Douglas, who also had a massive match, crashed over and Steven Jay added the extra two points to take the score to 12 -0. The visitors were very lively at this stage in the half and responded with a converted try of their own before Wing Bert Radzevious finished the first half scoring with an unconverted try.

Unfortunately, Rochford lost the services of experienced prop Michael Guess with a dead leg, but replacement Jodie Allen is not a bad man to have to come on.

With the light fading rapidly and only a 17-7 lead to Rochford this was either side’s game to win. A kick up the backside at the break did the trick and Hundred were a different outfit in the second session.

Powerful number eight Chris Shields soon got on the score sheet with a try to bring up the bonus point and Rochford found their usual rhythm winning excellent ball from set pieces and tightening up their loose play.

As Manor tired gaps appeared in their defence and further tries from Joe Hurley, Will Ferrier, Ben Johnson, Sam Nash and another from Sam Fombo with two conversions from Jay finally saw Rochford through to a deserved victory.

A gruelling encounter against worthy opposition and another hurdle crossed and with a further home match next week against Old Priorians the team will be looking to keep the momentum going.