ROCHFORD LOSE OUT TO SERVICE POWER PLAY !

Rochford once again showed that they have the skills and commitment to compete against even the top sides in London One but it is the sheer size and power of some of these teams that is the decisive factor in the end.

The service were forced into basic errors and gave away penalties under pressure. From one of these center Tom Ashton put Rochford ahead with a well struck effort.

Shortly after an interception from second row Ross Murphy saw him storm away up the field to score under the posts for Ashton to convert.

It has to be said that Rochford looked like the side pushing for promotion instead of the other way around as the boys in black tore into the West London side.

Another Ashton penalty took them further ahead at 13–0 and good value for it. Although the set scrum was again under pressure from a much bigger pack the lineout produced good ball but it was in the loose where Rochford fought so hard to turn over ball and set up a number of fast flowing attacks.

Young Nathan Barham filling in at outside centre was having an impressive debut and others such as Murphy, Billy Ellis, Darren Spencer, Simon Webb and particularly Ashton were all on top of their game.

It’s a feature in rugby how games can change around so quickly on events and so was the case here. Just before half time a technical offence by a Rochford forward saw him sin binned and Civil Service saw an opportunity to exploit it as they forced a series of scrummages on the home side’s line and from one of these used the full power of their forwards to drive over for a try to put the scoreline at 13–5 at the break.

In addition to having to start the second half with fourteen men the rain started to come down which played into the hands of the more powerful Service forwards.

They used this advantage as they came out in the second half in a higher gear knowing that they had to react otherwise the game could easily slip away from them.

Service started to become more composed and moved the ball well through their backs and used the forward power to drive Rochford back towards their line.

From this effort came two quick tries, neither of which were converted, and all of a sudden Rochford were trailing 13–15 and finding it difficult to get their hands on enough good ball and as conditions deteriorated started to make errors.

Even when Service scored another try, this time converted, to take the score to 13–22 the home outfit were still in with a good chance of turning the game around as they increased the pace once again and launched more attacks.

Unfortunately Civil Services defence was up to the task and all of Rochford’s hard work began to take it’s toil and they started to look tired.

As all good sides do Service played to their strengths and exploited the situation. Two late tries, one of which was converted, put paid to any comeback by Rochford and although the scoreline flattered them, Civil Service did take their chances to finish victors in a game of good quality for most part and certainly no lack of skill and endeavor from the home side.

A fine performance from the team and many good individual contributions, none more so than number Eight James Needham who spent most of the second half controlling and providing good ball from a number of retreating scrums and launching some strong attacks from them.

The plain truth, however, is that until we can match up to the sheer size and power some of these teams have Rochford will always be disadvantaged.

Team: Chivers, Robinson, Avis, Ellis, Murphy, Spencer, Baker, Needham, Webb, Stubbs, Ashton, Barham, Ryan, Barnes.
Subs: Dyer, North, Barber