A GREAT WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR

( REPORT BY GRAHAM PRATT )

The team needed to put in a good performance in this first match of the New Year before flying out to take on the might of Guernsey next week. This they did in style with some excellent running rugby as well as a powerful display from the forwards. It was reminiscent of last season’s matches and some earlier games this season as they notched up their highest score in this campaign so far scoring nine tries in the process.

Underfoot conditions were better than of late and the sun was out which made a pleasant change for players and spectators alike and Rochford were on the scoreboard within five minutes. Centre Damien Brambley sped over for a try between the posts and Cameron Greenhall duly converted. Shortly after hooker Adam Ferrier drove over after some strong forward pressure and Greenhall, once again, slotted over the extra two points.

It was apparent from early on that the Rochford set scrum was dominant and poor Bedford struggled there all game. With influential second row Sam Fombo making a popular return after injury Rochford’s lineout was working well again and with ample support from the likes of James Kellard and others, it became a platform for a number of attacking moves.

Next up on the scoreboard was impressive number eight big Mac Duaibe who powered through for a try to put his side ahead 19 – 0 in as many minutes. Big Sam Fombo was enjoying his return with some good loose play as well as line-out and he well deserved his try next to gain the try bonus point and Greenhall added the extra. Two more tries before half time from Chris Shields and a second for Damien Brambley with a conversion brought the score to 38 – 0 at the break and they were good value for it.

Credit to Bedford, where other sides might have folded under the pressure but they kept fighting and worked very hard to keep the home side from scoring more points. Bedford especially in the first quarter of the second half played up a gear and had a fair amount of possession, but were unable to break Rochford’s excellent defensive line. Big tackles were going in from all angles and scrum half Ricki Gould was having a great game and putting in some big hits. Players like Craig Strachan, James Kellard, Chris Shields and others drove their opponents back on many occasions with the force of their tackling.

It was, however, inevitable that more scores would come such was the dominance up front and so it proved. Centre Chris Dudman showing his class went over for an excellent try and then Ricki Gould found the line. Both tries were converted by Greenhall and late in the game wing Will Ferrier, who was having a great game, sped through to ground in the corner. Cameron Greenhall kicked from the touchline to round off what must have been a very pleasing afternoon for him with his seventh conversion.

Bedford kept playing to the bitter end and after some sustained pressure finally managed to break the Rochford line to score a consolation try before proceeding were brought to an end. Terrific team performance with many top individual efforts and praise for young Taylor Randall who stepped up to the mark when he came on in the second half and showed that he has the guts and skill to develop further.

With Wimbledon losing and Guernsey dropping a point the battle at the top is very tight now and next week’s encounter with the league leaders in Guernsey takes on such importance. After this afternoon’s performance Rochford can take on the Islanders on their own turf with a great deal more confidence.

Team: Bailey,Ferrier A,.Guess, Fombo. Shields, Kellard, Strachan, Duaibe, Gould, Greenhall, Cleare, Brambley ,Dudman, Ferrier W., Billings

Subs: Brunger, Randall, Pickering