COULD THIS BE THE TURNING POINT FOR COMMITTED ROCHFORD ?

At last some positive signs that Rochford are getting their act together as they put in a fiery, determined and gritty performance in cold, wet and blustery conditions.

There were excellent displays by many players such as second row Richard Mott, prop David Coombe, hooker Byron de Freitas, halfback pair Dan Bracknell and Lloyd O’Connor but that does not take it away from all the others who worked so hard to get a deserved victory but just fell short in the end.

Against the run of play at the start of the match the home side scored a soft try after what appeared to have been a dropped pass over the line but it was given and that was that.

Rochford’s forwards were playing with far more aggression this week and it showed in their attitude in the loose where they attacked Chingford’s bigger forwards with vigour.

The visitors applied plenty of pressure and it was rewarded with an excellent try by second row Richard Mott who was having a good game.

All square again and it was a case of Rochford attacking and being thwarted by some elementary mistakes and good Chingford defence. The home side did the same to their opponents and put some sustained attacks together but terrific Rochford defence kept them at bay.

Eventually the line was breached and Chingford went ahead with another unconverted try.

Just before half time determined Rochford ran the ball wide to find wing Nick Brown who dived over to even the scoreboard at the break.

Facing a strong wind starting the second session Richford took the game to their hosts and were unlucky not to score more points until midway through t half when the other wing Sam Barnes took ball near the hallway line ,near touch but managed to elude Chingford’s defence and speed over for a fine try.

Chingford facing a home defeat stepped up the pace and threw everything at Rochford who defended so well putting their bodies on the line and tackled with gusto, but the home side made the breakthrough to score and level the game.

The last ten minutes of this tense match was all Rochford as they attacked at every opportunity making big inroads and recycling ball after ball to get their fourth bonus try and a precious win but their efforts were not enough in the end.

At the death Rochford were awarded a penalty a way out but in front of the posts but Dan Needham’s big kick had the accuracy but not the distance and the ball just fell below the posts as the final whistle went.

A big improvement in attitude and performance and with the introduction of George Fouche taking control of the forward coaching allowing head coach Mark Sexton to concentrate on the backs a feeling of new found confidence could be the beginning of a change in the team’s fortunes.