A MUCH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

It was always going to be a hard task to get a result at Luton but although Rochford lost this entertaining match they did come away with a try scoring bonus point.

The team was full of fire and commitment and they needed to be against a very good Luton outfit. In truth there was little to choose between the two sides as far as general play was concerned but Luton were excellent finishers and showed some top rate ball skills when required.

Rochford showed that they can play rugby with the best of them and were good value for their 4 tries and never gave up the fight.

Luton however scored 6 tries, converting all but one, and kicked a penalty all of which provided them with a comfortable cushion throughout the afternoon.

The visitors started brightly and took the game to the home side with the forwards getting stuck in to provide good ball for half backs Lloyd O’Connor and Dan Needham to show their class. Needham looked particularly sharp at stand off and gave his opponents plenty of problems

Luton, however, with ball in hand were fast and direct and two tries in quick succession put their stamp on the game.

Rochford replied with an excellent try after terrific approach work and finished off by Needham who then converted his own effort.

Another converted try and a penalty from the Bedfordshire side finished off the half but not before some good entertaining rugby from both sides.

Rochford’s scrummage stood up very well against a big,strong Luton eight and the front row of Mark,Defreitas and Coombe must take a great deal of the credit for that.

The Essex outfit opened the second half well scoring with a marvellous individual try by Dan Needham as he dummied and glided through the Luton defence to ground the ball over the line.

The home team responded quickly with a good try which was converted and followed up with another one from their excellent full back who duly again converted to bring the score to 12 -36.

Second row Richard Mott was having a massive game showing great ball catching and passing ability and dominating the front of the lineout so it was only fitting that he should also score a try.

He did exactly that to reduce the deficit but Luton upped their game again to score their sixth try which was converted to take them to 17 – 43.

The last say of this good quality game was Rochford’s when sustained pressure was rewarded when Dan Bracknell sped over in the corner to score a fourth try and earn a valuable bonus point.

A much improved performance by the whole team with a number of individual players such as, Mott, O’Connor, Needham, Ross Murphy and Greg Whight having pleasing games and coaches George Fouche and Mark Sexton can feel encouraged but the team still have