TERRIFIC ROCHFORD SIGN OFF IN STYLE !

An outstanding performance against fellow league strugglers Harpenden would appear to be to no avail as Brentwood won their crucial game against Ruislip to secure their survival.

It was a marvelous afternoon’s entertainment with a large crowd well fed and watered and weather to match as both teams provided plenty of good running rugby at pace with ball skills abundant.

In a first half totally dominated by a resurgent Rochford, Harpenden were blown away by the speed and aggression of the home side.

The return of captain Sam Tape rejuvenated the set scrum which drove their Hertfordshire rivals back and forced them into errors and the speed of the Rochford back line should have paid more dividends than just one try by centre Tom Ashton in the first quarter. All credit to Harpenden’s defence which kept rampant Rochford at bay for long periods and frustrated the home side’s efforts.

Gradually the Magnolia Road outfit‘s pressure paid off as firstly Dan Allen went over after making a powerful break which Ashton converted and then wing Matt Stewart followed by crossed over for a try.

His effort was a superb piece of individual skill as he ran for the line, chipped over the defence, reclaimed the ball and dived over. Not to be outdone impressive young full back Nathan Barham showed a clean pair of heels when he outpaced the shell shocked Harpenden defence to run in for a glorious try which Dan Allen converted.

24-0 up at the break and it looked all one way traffic.

As mentioned the Rochford set scrum was powerful all game and the line out was particularly effective as well where Tape, James Needham, Murphy and George Chipper dominated. The back row of Chipper, Needham and Spencer were instrumental in providing good ball and upsetting Harpenden and prop Josh Berry also seemed to everywhere on occasions

The second half was a much more competitive affair as the visitors knew they had to up their game and Rochford took their foot off the peddle for a while.

Good approach play by Harpenden was rewarded by a converted try as the second session got underway before the home side responded with a try by hooker Tom Corbet supporting a good break by centre Allen. Allen, taking over kicking duties from the slightly injured Ashton slotted over the conversion.

Harpenden started to win some good ball of their own and ran at Rochford wherever they could and when their scrum half went over for another try to bring the score to 31–12 a note of caution was sounded in the Rochford camp.

Rochford’s aggressive pack were turning over plenty of ball in the loose and they used this to advantage when winger Stewart finished off a terrific move to go over for his second try which Allen converted.

The visitors kept working hard to stay in touch and their stand off went between the posts for a try which he converted but the last say was Rochford’s who made sure of victory when full back Barham finished another well worked move to go over for his second try and complete a comprehensive win.

This was a great team performance with many impressive individual efforts and a fitting way to complete their home fixtures for the season. Rochford have shown just before and since Christmas that they are a side worthy of this division but earlier performances had let them down as they struggled to get to grips with the size and fitness levels of many of the opposition.

One more game against Woodford away next week and the boys will want to finish with a flourish but it will probably mean a return to meet familiar faces next season and start all over again.

They have the side to bounce straight back again and will surely want to after tasting the fruits of this more challenging league and the improvements in their game it has given them.

Team: Chivers,Corbet, Berry, Murphy, Tape, Spencer, Needham J, Chippper, Webb, Needham D, Stewart, Ashton, Allen, Stubbs, Barham, Dyer, Ellis, Barber.