ROCHFORDS SEASON BACK ON TRACK !

Last Saturday it was all doom and gloom but the team responded by showing great character and purpose to secure a very tight, but well deserved victory over a strong Woodford outfit.

Another hot, sunny afternoon in this never ending balmy Indian summer was a fine setting for this revival in front of a large crowd of loyal supporters.

The start of the match was familiar territory for the home side as Woodford surged ahead with an early penalty kick from their strong kicking No.9, followed by a converted try to put them in the driving seat at 10 - 0.

Rochford, however, were in no mood to go down the same path as the previous weekend and stormed back straight away. Excellent play from the Rochford pack forced Woodford back over their line and second row Ross Murphy rose triumphantly from the melee to claim the try. Centre Tom Ashton duly converted and it was ...Game on !

Another successful penalty kick from Woodford was the only other score of the half but that was not the full story as the home side battled to keep their opponents at bay with some wonderful defence where Ashton was outstanding with his cover tackling and inspired those around him.

Lineouts were contested keenly with Sam Tape and Murphy winning their fair share of ball and disrupting Woodfords on a number of occasions. The pack worked tirelessly in the rucks and mauls and were able to drive Woodford back which was no mean feat.

The one area still poor was the set scrum and in the first half Rochford had a torrid time holding their bigger and stronger opponents.

7 - 13 down at the break and all to play for. Ashton clawed back three points from a well struck penalty before Woodford increased their lead with a converted try when their wing ran through to take the score to 10 - 20 in their favour.

In spite of not having the rub of the green as far as refereeing was concerned and having to deal with a couple of yellow cards the home team stuck to the task in hand and seemed to get stronger as this fascinating match progressed. Woodford had chances to go further ahead with penalty kicks but failed to do so.

Flanker Andy Baker, who was having a fine game, went over for a try after some intense Rochford pressure to narrow the gap and those on the touchline began to dare to hope that there might be an upset on the cards.

Certainly Rochfords play was getting better by the minute and the scrum was starting to push a tired looking Woodford eight about. Next up stepped No.8 James Needham who was having a towering afternoon to drive over to level the scores and Tom Ashtons conversion edged the Magnolia Road lads in front for the first time.

The rest was nail biting stuff and pacemakers were working at full power into the final minutes. We even had the spectacle of Rochford applying great pressure to finish off Woodford on their own line and then, to see the ball lost all the way back up field. An error was then made in defence and the Woodford Kicker had the chance to win the game from a very kickable position but to the relief of Rochfords supporters he kicked wide. The final whistle went and those spectators that survived the heart attacks roared their approval and applauded a great team performance.

There were many fine displays such as prop Josh Berry who made many powerful drives taking on the big Woodford forwards and Dan Needhams secure handling and feeding of the ball to his backs. Simon Webb at scrum half used all his experience to keep Woodford on the back foot and both wingers Greg Stubbs and Jon Baker who were full of running, but this was a massive test of character for the whole team and they were not found wanting.

The penalty count against them is still too high and must be addressed otherwise they, unlike today will be punished. They must now use this victory as a springboard for progressing further because they have shown, when in this mood, they can compete with anybody in the division. This is only the start and it is now up to them to take their game to a higher level which they know they can do.

Team: Dyer (Wright), Chivers, Berry, Tape, Murphy, Chipper H, Baker A, Needham J, Webb, Needham D, Baker J, Ashton, Hall, Stubbs, Keating, Duboux, Meadows.