POOR ROCHFORD BLITZED BY IMPRESSIVE STAINES !

I will not say too much apart from giving credit to a very strong Staines outfit that totally outplayed the Essex side in all departments.

In a 14 try blitz they played fast,skilful and direct rugby from the first minute until the last whistle giving depleted Rochford a rugby lesson in superior fitness and teamwork moving the ball at pace. The Magnolia boys tackled until they dropped but in the end it was not enough to keep a rampant Staines at bay.

The floodgates opened early in this one sided affair and although Rochford,when they had the ball, tried to run at their opponents most attacks were swiftly snuffed out.

This was a game that the boys must put behind them and concentrate on next week when they play hosts to Letchworth.

Team: Dyer, Chivers, Wright, Ellis, Murphy, Corbet, Duboux, Needham, Webb, Allen, Barber, Lemon, Hall, Stubbs, Stewart.

Subs: Day, Goodliffe, Baker J.

STAINES RFC MATCH REPORT !

MATCH REPORT – Saturday 7 November 2009

London North 1

Staines RFC 92 Rochford RFC 0

(14 try’s, 8 conversions & 2 penalties)

Staines vented their frustration of last weeks draw at Eton Manor, with a fine display of high intensity heads up rugby.
Coaches Greg and Bogey Knights raised the intensity of training and were duly rewarded in a fine team performance which saw an accumulation of 92 points. Ten different players got on the score sheet and in a game in which all players were involved they looked to be a team in complete control of themselves and the game in general.

On the fifth minute after some continuity forward play loose head prop Giles Walker opened the scoring, touching down with some fine driving play. On receiving the restart Staines who have done much work in this area were soon on the ascendancy, the back row of captain Tom Cleary at 8 and Adam Mursal and Tom Miklausic on the side row were asking many questions of the Rochford defence. And some well-worked third phase ball was put to good use by Staines 10 Richard Mahony back in action following
an injury. The ball was put wide to the right and had the Rochford defence in a spin. Mark Smith touched down wide on the right for try number 2, which was duly converted by Mahony.

With the score at 12 - 0 in as many minutes, it looked like Rochford were in for a long day. The Staines lineout’s were serviced with some canny throwing by back row Adam Mercer who put is Great Britain Student hooker skills to the test. Mahony converted taking the score to 19 -0.

Staines head coach Greg opted for some bulk in the front row and Rochford had their hands full anchoring a scrum while on the back foot. Front rowers, Walker, Bachour and Gibson were enjoying the outing. From a scrum on the opposition 10, scrum half James Robinson linked with Captain Cleary to get the forward momentum going, the power work of the forwards allowed Giles Walker in for his second try of the day and team try
number 3 with Mahony converting, putting the score at 19-0

Locks Rob Walker and return from injury Duncan Mcdermid hit ruck after ruck giving Robinson some great ball which was swiftly passed on to Mahony to release a quick thinking backline with inside centre Chris Wells linking well with James Cornish who showed some fleet of foot to cut through a disorganised backline and scoring team try number 4 which was duly converted by Mahony taking the score to 26-0.

No sooner had Rochford taken the restart the Staines forwards with direct running lines were asking big questions of a young Rochford side who could give little in response.
After 4 phases of play and some inter unit handling full back Andy Regan cut some excellent running lines one of which allowed Staines experienced front rower Rony Bachour to ploughed over for try number 5, putting the score at 31-0.
More phase of continuity and some great line breaks by Josh Heke, were presenting the visitors with big defensive problems and a penalty which was awarded to Staines for the Rochford backrow being caught off side was kicked by Mahony taking the score to 34-0

In the dying minutes of the first half captain Tom Cleary produced some great flair in touching down for try number 6, Tom as captain was well pleased with the first 40 and the team discipline. With the score at 39-0 the half time whistle went.

Within 5 minutes, Staines were showing little mercy and the forwards were again on top of their game which resulted in some great continuity of rucking which was finished witha fine try by flanker Tom Miklausic, which was converted by Mahony taking the score to 46 -0. More early pressure gave Staines another penalty which was duly converted by the trusty boot of Richard Mahony who put the score at 49-0

More fluency in back play saw right wing Mark Smith in for his second try, which Mahony converted. Taking the score to 56-0. With 20 minutes to go replacements Tom Williams finished of some fine back play which Mahony converted taking the score to 63-0.
Replacement Dan Walsh got in on the scoring by finishing of a driving maul, taking the score to 68-0. Flanker Miklausic was also rewarded with another try which again was converted by Mahony putting the score at 75-0. Replacement back row Andy Turner was quick to show his hunger with some powerful driving which resulted in team try number 12 and with Mahony’s sure boot the score reached 82-0. Mark Smith got in on the act
for his third which was a great reward for his game time effort, 87-0. With minutes remaining Duncan McDermid scored a try following some dynamic forward play this was team try number 14 and with Mahony’s contribution of 22 points took the final score to 92-0.

This was a fine display by Staines who are showing some excellent home form and have showed much intent in doing well in this league, however they must come to terms with their away form and start improving on performances, if they want to make a serious league contender bid.

Staines 2s had an excellent 41-0 result against London Irish 2s, they are playing some fine rugby and have improved the squads depth.