ROCHFORD SECOND BEST IN BASILDON MUDBATH

It all started so well for Rochford on a quagmire of a pitch at Basildon, things did not turn out as planned. The boys in black dominated the first quarter with Ryan Stephenson and Jack Pearce controlling the lineout and Rochford having more possession and territory should have scored enough points to make them safe.

An excellent break by flanker James Dorrington running along the touchline and just brought down before the line crated a quick ruck and the ball moved speedily via Bracknell and Ventress.

Captain Matt Stewart ran through the gap to score a deserved try and, although the try was not converted it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before the next score.

The visitors attacked the Basildon line but were not able to get the break their efforts deserved and Basildon gradually regrouped as the pitch deteriorated rapidly turning the match into a dire affair dominated by many breakdowns and set scums.

This suited the home side better and Basildon started to take the game to Rochford through their bigger forwards and were eventually awarded a penalty which was duly taken and they were only 3 – 5 behind.

That score stayed the same up to half time but by then it was difficult to recognise either team.

The second half was all Basildon as they controlled the ball and territory and it was only a matter of time before they scored the vital try to put them in the lead where they stayed until the final whistle in this lottery of a game.

To their credit Basildon deserved their victory as they played the conditions and pitch far better than Rochford did who are now facing a very difficult remainder of this hard season.