Rochford bounce back to show there is plenty more to come !

The scoreline possibly flatted the visitors but they deserved their win as they took their chances and were more organised when needed to be.

This must not take anything away from this Rochford outfit who responded magnificently after last week’s rout and played some very good rugby.

Letchworth fielded a big pack and good runners who showed that they were keen to make life difficult for the struggling Essex side. The Hertfordshire side went ahead from a penalty kick early on and later in the half scored a converted try to be in front 10 – 0 at the break.

This does not tell the full story as Rochford were solid in scrum and lineout where Billy Ellis did some excellent work, ably assisted by Ross Murphy at the front of the line.

All the forwards lifted their game and drove into rucks and mauls with great purpose and tackled anything that moved. Good ball was won and scrum half Simon Webb served out good ball to his backs. They in turn took on their opposite numbers and found space for wings Jon Baker and Greg Stubbs to have a few runs.Unfortunately the killer instinct is missing at present and chances went missing.

In the second half two more converted tries by Letchworth in quick succession from Rochford defensive errors put the visitors into a commanding position but the home side fought back terrifically.

After some sustained pressure Tom Ashton slotted over a penalty kick to get Rochford on the score sheet, which was quickly followed by a great piece of fast, flowing, rugby finishing with wing Jon Baker speeding over to score a terrific try.

Around this stage in the game the Rochford eight with prop Paul Ansell , Ellis and James Needham outstanding began to increase the tempo of their game and both the set scrum and loose play became a battle field. Dominant scrummaging from Rochford put enormous pressure on the Letchworth eight but somehow they survived not giving away any points.

One of the best moves of the game came from Rochford as they put together some first class rugby and full back Matty Stewart,l ooking more confident nowadays, broke through to score a morale boosting try.

Could the Magnolia Road boys come back? Time was running out and at 13 – 24 it was a lot to ask of them.

Letchworth, showing why they have survived at this level for a number of years, regrouped, put some phases together and their stand off ran in for a killer blow try.

That was the only difference between the two sides that when it was needed they came up with the goods but make no mistake Letchworth knew they had been in a game and were very happy to come away with the result.

Team: Berry, Chivers, Wright (Ansell), Ellis, Murphy, Corbet, Chipper H, Needham J, Webb, Ashton, Baker J, Allen, Hall, Stubbs, Stewart, Dyer, Lemon.