THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE

This was going to be a difficult game for the Essex outfit, away from home against a side that have been showing some decent results against good opposition. It certainly turned out that way, but Rochford managed to scrape a win in the end although losing out on a try bonus point.
The game started brightly enough for the visitors, when second row Lewis Brunger drove over for his second try in successive weeks after some powerful forward drives. Cameron Greenhall added the extra two points, but almost straight from the restart Brighton were awarded a penalty kick and duly reduced the arrears to take the score to 7 – 3.
Once again Brunger came to the rescue when he picked up a loose ball to run through to score his second try of the match. During this period Rochford were in control with dominance in loose and set play through the forwards and looked dangerous in the backs .
However the Sussex side were next to score with another penalty kick and held on until half time to turn round only 12 – 6 behind. After the previous week’s excellent second half performance against Sevenoaks, when they added 4 tries following a 12 – 3 turnround, Rochford might have felt confident of doing the same again.
When big prop Tod Bailey drove over after more strong forward play and Greenhall’s conversion it looked like that was going to be the case again. With a 19 – 6 lead and plenty of time on their side what could go wrong? Unfortunately, Rochford were unable to finish off some good play and errors slipped into their game together with falling foul of some debatable refereeing decisions.
Brighton are a good side despite their lowly league position and they took full advantage of Rochford not being able to finish off this game. They hit back with a converted try after some sustained pressure on the Rochford line and then followed up with yet another penalty kick. With the match going into the closing stages Brighton were now only 19 – 16 behind and they went for the jugular. Rochford were forced to draw on all their experience and determination to keep their opponents at bay and the final few minutes seemed to be so much longer.
In the end they managed to hold out and came away with that important away win but the boys knew, by their own standards, that they could and perhaps should have done better.
There were many positive aspects including a continuing strong forward platform and good interplay in the backs but the lineout is still a problem area at present but that can be worked on.
The team needs to focus on their finishing ability after doing all the hard stuff to put themselves into these positions. Team discipline at crucial times is also a factor. Every team in this league have the ability to upset the apple cart and we need to be at the top of our game every week. This was the last of the first round matches and next week Rochford travel to Hertford, who they had beaten earlier in the season but will now present another pressure game for the side before going into the Christmas break.

Team;- Bailey, Ferrier A., Bevans-Royston, Douglas, Brunger, Kellard, Strachan, Duaibe, Gould, Greenhall, Cleare, Hudson, Brambley, Ferrier W., Billings

Subs:- Mills, Shields, Dudman