MORE LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

There was determination, competitiveness and aggression in their play this week but it still was not enough. It is becoming more evident that to survive in this league greater skill levels and less basic errors are the order of the day.
This was what let them down on this bright, hot, late summer afternoon and Bury are not a side you can take liberties with and punished Rochford accordingly.
The home side had to endure some strong play from their Suffolk visitors and defended bravely on their line for the first few minutes of this entertaining game.
Having survived this they broke free and were rewarded with a penalty kick which Tom Ashton slotted over to put Rochford ahead.
This lead was short lived, however, as Bury struck back after a sloppy piece of Rochford play out of defence which allowed Bury to pick up a stray ball and cross over for an easy try.
Shortly after continued pressure from Bury provided them with two penalties which their no.13 kicked over to put them ahead 11 – 3.
It was by no means all one sided as a lively Rochford won good ball from lineout and loose to run some positive stuff at their opponents defence which had to work hard to keep them at bay. About this point Rochford were reduced to 14 men after Darren Spencer was yellow carded for a technical offence.
Just before the break Bury’s second row finished off a quick fire move to go over for a converted try but the last word of the half went to Rochford.
To finish off a long first half a clever late try by scrum half Simon Webb kept the home side in contention at 8 - 18 at the break.
Although, once again, Rochford’s set scrum was under pressure all game their lineout was functioning well with Murphy and Captain Sam Tape providing good ball to Simon Webb and the backs.
Replacement flanker Harry Chipper showed why he is a prospect for the future with a well taken try to reduce Bury’s lead and at 13 – 18 the match was finally poised.
Unfortunately this was a turning point of the match as the Suffolk outfit increased the tempo and their hosts were found wanting. A number of forced and unforced errors let them down and some bad decision making at crucial times lost them hard fought territory and possession.
Rochford were also winning ball but allowing it to be turned over only for committed Bury to exploit.
The score remained the same right until the last ten minutes of this keenly contested affair but Bury exposed the weaknesses in Rochford’s game and scored two quick tries one of which was converted to teach their newly promoted opponents how to punish mistakes.
More lessons learnt and there will be many more to be sure but Rochford need to address their immediate failings and gradually progress which I am sure they will do as there is a great deal of talent and commitment there.
Time is of the essence as there are going to be no easy games to use for developing so the coaching staff and the players have some hard work ahead of them to iron out the flaws.

Team: Wright, Chivers, Berry, Tape, Murphy, Davies, Baker A, Needham J, Webb S, Needham D, Baker J, Spencer, Ashton, Stewart, Webb C. Subs: Dyer, Chipper H & Stubbs