RUISLIP UP FRONT POWER THE ONLY DIFFERENCE

Unfortunatley it is still not enough to see off these big boys as they seem to have that extra dimension of bulk and power which plays a decisive role when games are tight.

This was the case again this week as Rochford did battle against a very good Ruislip outfit and showed that they can play fast, exciting rugby and score the tries,which were all of the highest quality but when Ruislip needed that little bit more they produced the chances and took them.

The visitors went ahead early with a penalty kick but Rochford responded terrifically with a marvellous try finished off in style by centre Jack Hall and Tom Ashton duly converted. Could that be right we were actually in the lead?

Not for long though as Ruislip’s No.8 went over for a try and shortly after their stand off scythed through the Rochford defence to score under the posts. He converted his own try and they had nudged ahead at 7 – 15.

Rochford carried on from where they left off last week and put together some classy rugby to match anything Ruislip had to offer and also tackled so well in defence that the visitors had trouble obtaining any decent ball during this period.

All this enterprise paid off with another excellent try ,this time a fast piece of running rugby finished off by flanker Tom Corbet who crashed over for Ashton to convert and Rochford went into the break only one point behind at 14 – 15.

The line out went a great deal better this week with Murphy and Billy Ellis winning good ball for scrum half Simon Webb to use to launch attacks through the backs or putting in high raking kicks to pin back Ruislip in defence.

The loose was a battle zone where both sides fought for control and where the bigger and more experienced Ruislip forwards fared better as the game progressed.

The biggest problem area for Rochford was ,once again , the set scrummage and they had a torrid time trying to control ball going back at a rate of knots on a number of occasions.No 8 James Needham has had to grow up fast in this environment and has not been found wanting.He was again outstanding in providing ball from all angles and was able to set up good attacking options.

Pressure from the strong Ruislip pack began to pay off for them and they went over for another try to increase their lead and then a interception saw their full back run the whole length of the field to ground the ball under the posts.The kick was a formality and now the West London side were in the driving seat.

From a Rochford scrum near their own line Ruislip applied immense pressure and from the resulting melee their prop pounced on the ball to score.

At 14 - 32 Rochford knew that the game had moved away from them but they still kept at it and late in this absorbing contest the home side put together a number of good phases to force Ruislip back up field and a flowing piece of attacking play saw wing Matt Barber break away to score under the posts for Ashton to convert.

Another match that Rochford deserved more from but they have learned a great deal this season so far and are the better for it. The general skill level is much better and fitness levels are certainly higher.Dare I also say that discipline seems to have improved as well.

As I said last week it surely is only a matter of time before the results will follow.

Team : Berry,Chivers,Dyer,( Wright ) Ellis, Murphy,Corbet, Chipper, Needham J, Webb, Ashton, Lemon, Allen, Hall, Stubbs, Needham D. Barber, Wiseman