DISAPPOINTING ROCHFORD LET THEMSELVES DOWN

. . . in the lack of application and deliverance of a quality performance when it was needed most.

Rochford’s problems were not helped by late front row cry offs and the unavailability of some experienced players. Having said that replacement hooker David Robinson and scrum half Dan Bracknell both had fine games but it was an overall lack of awareness and discipline which was their undoing and another case of taking your chances when given them.

The first half was very even with both sides struggling to gain dominance and Rochford kept the home side at bay with some aggressive tackling. An early Letchworth penalty was the only score until late in the half when the Hertfordshire outfit breached the Rochford defence to score two quick tries to put the score 13–0 to the home side at the break.

Rochford’s scrum was holding firm under a great deal of pressure from the bigger Letchworth pack but the lineout was creaking and not functioning as well as it usually does which enabled the strong Letchworth eight to launch rolling mauls and tie up the ball supply. Young scrum half Dan Bracknell, standing in for acting captain Simon Webb whose wife has just had a baby, worked well all afternoon and showed a great deal of promise.

The Essex boys came out with more purpose in the second session and promptly took the game to their opponents. This was the best period of play from Rochford and they were rewarded with a well worked try as wing Greg Stubbs picked up a ball and stormed for the line. He was eventually closed down but he managed to slip a pass to the supporting Tom Ashton who finished off the move under the posts and converted the try to take the score to 7–13.

A Letchworth forward was yellow carded soon after and Rochford applied pressure on the home side’s line. Another score at this time could have seen the game turn as Letchworth were rattled and making a number of mistakes.

Unfortunately Rochford failed to take advantage as errors and bad decision making affected their game and more errors crept into their game.

Letchworth rallied and again took control of the ball through their forwards and Rochford became frustrated. They tried very hard to increase the tempo but it was not their afternoon. Three late tries by Letchworth, only one of which was converted, summed up the this unsatisfactory match as they took full advantage of opponents errors and lack of awareness of unfolding situations around them.

Another possible injury problem for Rochford as live wire wing Jack Hall had to leave the field with a leg injury. He has been playing with plenty of fire and aggression and we can only hope that it is not too serious.

Team: Avis, Robinson, Berry, Dyer (Ellis), Murphy, Baker A, Spencer, Needham J, Bracknell, Hall (Ryan) Needham, Ashton, Allen, Stubbs, Barnes (Conneely)