ROCHFORD KICK THEMSELVES FOR LOSING THIS ONE

In an extraordinary 87 point scoring bonanza Rochford came off second best after notching up 8 tries to Romford’s 7 but only converted one of them.

The home side started in a storming manner running ball from all directions and within twenty minutes were three tries up courtesy of Chris Cantle, Jack Pearce and Ross Murphy.

Unfortunately none were converted and Romford were able to pull themselves together and score one of their own which was converted.

They then went on to run in two further efforts before second row Pearce scored two more for his hat trick to take the scoreboard to 25 – 17 in Rochford’s favour at the break.

The match was exciting to watch but was very unstructured with both sides freely running with ball in hand but making many mistakes in handling and, especially tackling.

The second half continued in the same vein with the visitors going over for two more tries, both of which were converted to take them into the lead at 25 – 31.

Rochford dominated the lineout where Pearce, Mott and Murphy won loads of ball but fared less well in the set scrum as Romford gradually applied pressure through their big, strong forwards.

The game, however, was mostly played in the loose where both sides fought hard to gain control and fell foul of the referee’s yellow cards which he gave out liberally (5 in all).

Into the last quarter and Rochford were able to get their hands on some more ball and they opened up the Romford defence like a can of sardines as first Sam Farren went over for a try, soon followed by Tom Corbet which was converted by Robert Prior and lastly a second try for wing Cantle .

42 – 31 up with minutes to go one would have thought, in spite of the lack of kicking power Rochford were home and dry. Not so.

A very late rally by Romford and some poor defence by the home team allowed them to go over for two more tries, both converted to give Romford a most unlikely win.

Some terrific attacking rugby by the team, but badly let down by the lack of kicking power and a porous defence.