THE MONKEY IS LIFTED OFF ROCHFORD’S BACK AT LAST

It has happened at last. The winning run spread over more than two seasons came to an end in this titanic and high quality encounter between the only two unbeaten teams in the division.

In the end, either side could justify they deserved the victory and it was only a two point margin that separated both team. That, however, does not tell the full story of this nail biting and excellent game. Rochford started at a storming pace, using their powerful set of forwards to put pressure on the Wimbledon try line and a fine floated kick by scrum half Sam Arnott found wing Mark Billings in space.

Mark is not a player that allows such chances to slip by as he collected and sped over in the corner to put his side 5 points up. This feeling of jubilance did not last long as Wimbledon hit back almost immediately with some fast inter passing, which resulted in a well taken try, although Rochford’s defence had to ask questions of itself. The try was converted and soon after the home side were awarded a penalty and their no.10 duly obliged by adding another three pints to the scoreboard.

Rochford, at this stage, had control of the set scrummage putting Wimbledon under a great deal of pressure on their ball. The lineouts were going well with Harry Hudson, Jamie Douglas and Sam Fombo winning good ball. In the loose the visitors drove strongly but fell foul of the referee and gave away too many penalties. These were punished by Wimbledon’s excellent kicker who fired over another penalty kick to put the home outfit 13 – 5 ahead.

The South West London side showed why they are top of the league; they have fast and clever backs who enjoy running with the ball in hand and they used these skills to go further ahead with another converted try - suddenly Rochford were in trouble 20 – 5 down.

Half time was approaching and action needed to be taken urgently if this game was not going to run away from them. The boys in black have shown that they respond well when up against it and they regrouped and played to the strength of their formidable forward base, driving Wimbledon back onto their own try line. A typical forward drive took the pack over the line and, once again, captain Harry Hudson emerged triumphant. Cameron Greenhall converted and as the first half whistle blew they were only 12 – 20 behind.

The Essex boys needed a good start to the second session and that is exactly what they did not get, as the talented Wimbledon side moved ball quickly through hands to score an unconverted try to take them to 25 – 12 and then Rochford fell foal of the referee once more and the Dons went further ahead with the resultant penalty kick.

Looking into the abyss at 12- 28 Rochford had to respond quickly as Wimbledon had their gander up and were going all out to get an emphatic win. Their forwards had reorganised and started giving a good account of themselves in the set piece and on occasions matched Rochford in the driving maul department.
Stand off Cameron Greenhall came to his team’s rescue when, after some good attacking play, he broke through to score under the posts and duly kicked the conversion to bring the score line to 19 – 28.
This seemed to energise the Magnolia Road outfit as they stormed into attack using forwards and backs and a clever piece of play saw full back Iain Meads race through to ground the ball in the corner and bring up the bonus point try.
Going into the last quarter it was game on at 24 – 28 and the home team started to look a little anxious and when powerful hooker Adam Ferrier finished off another good forward attack with a terrific try to take his side into a 29 – 28 lead. The home team had to respond or all their efforts would be to no avail as their commanding lead had vanished.
It was so nerve racking going into the final few minutes as Rochford had fought back against all odds and just needed to keep their nerve. Unfortunately their gods were not looking down on them on this occasion, as very late in this absorbing match they gave away yet another penalty and it was inevitable that the Wimbledon kicker was going to put it over. He did what was required and that was that as his team scraped the win .
From a positive point of view it was a massive effort by the Essex outfit to come back so well and to come away from this important game with two bonus points and deny Wimbledon their try bonus point as well. Next week a home game against London Irish Wild Geese will give the boys the opportunity to get back into winning mode and the week after there is no game so allows wounds to heal or be licked etc.

Team:- Strachan,Ferrier,Guess,Mills,Douglas,Fombo,Hudson,Duaibe,Arnott,
Greenhall, Cleare, Dudman, Brambley, Billings, Meads

Subs:- Brunger, Gould, Martin