A FINE PERFORMANCE LET DOWN BY BASIC ERRORS

Another hard fixture against a quality team but improvements being made each week and some excellent rugby played.

Although Letchworth deserved their win purely due to the extra pace in their back division the score was not a true reflection of an absorbing encounter.

Unfortunately for all the good effort Rochford put in taking the game to the home side they let themselves down by giving away hard won possession which Letchworth exploited with relish.

The visitors went ahead early on with an interception try by captain Matt Stewart. Letchworth responded with a penalty kick and then followed that up with a breakaway try.

Although with ball in hand Rochford presented problems for the home side they could not find that final touch to score.

On the other hand Letchworth ,being the top side they are, did when the occasion arrived and two converted tries from the sheer pace of their back division took them to 22-5. A Ventress penalty reduced the deficit but, once again, the Hertfordshire side went further ahead with another converted try.

Rochford’s spirit and drive forced their opposition back and quick ball to wing Laurie Scanaglia-Cooke saw him dive over in the corner for a try.

Stand-off Nick Ventress slotted over an excellent conversion from the touch line to give his side a big boost to finish the half at 15 – 29.

Rochford’s forwards had given a great account of themselves forcing turnovers in the loose and more than holding their own in the tight and with lineouts even they knew that the momentum had to be kept up in the second half.

They did just that and were rewarded when wing Sam Barnes broke away to score a try to again reduce the difference.

The weakness in Rochford’s play at present is that they do the good things but then do something silly to throw away any advantage won.

Letchworth used the speed of their backs to score three more tries,two of which were converted before the visitors responded with another Barnes try to gain a precious bonus point.

Rochford at this stage were playing some exciting adventurous rugby and really putting pressure on a stretched Letchworth defence but ,again let them off the hook as errors were made and space provided for the home team to use .Another Letchworth try sealed their victory but the Essex boys had the final say with an fine try by full back Dan Needham which Ventress duly converted to finish the game.

A number of issues to be addressed but ,with each game, Rochford are beginning to mould themselves into a good attacking side who can play with the best this league offers ,but they do need to tighten up on defence and decision making if they want to progress.