At last Rochford were able to get the second half of the season under way after delays due to adverse weather conditions and it was well worth waiting for.

On a wet and soggy but entirely playable pitch the home side initially stuttered against their old rivals as Chelmsford tore into them with a vengeance and only good tackling and Chelmsford errors stopped the opposition scoring.

The conditions were such that the team that made the fewest errors and were able to capitalise on mistakes would take the honours.

This was how it turned out as Rochford soaked up the pressure and then broke away after Chelmsford failed to control the ball and Tom Ashton ran half the length of the pitch to score under the posts and then converted his own try.

Next up was full back Jon Baker to finish off another good piece of Rochford play with ball in hand after a Chelmsford breakdown.

Chelmsford tried hard to move the ball around to create chances but poor handling and errors due to muddy conditions did not help their cause.

The extra fitness and awareness of the home side’s backs and forwards exploited any weaknesses and gradually took control of the loose and set scrums turning defence into attack.

The lineout was evenly contested with both sides winning good ball but as the game progressed Rochford’s extra aggression picked up some extra useful loose ball.

Rochford always looked dangerous with ball in hand and became a handful for the visitors defence.

After some impressive pressure play from the home forwards hooker Scott Chivers drove over to score and Ashton added the 2 points to take the scoreboard to 19 – 0 at the break.

The second half became a tighter affair as conditions took their toll but not before wing Tom Pickering picked up a brace of tries one of which was converted as the Rochford boys took their chances when they were offered.

Chelmsford, in spite of the big deficit kept up the pace in the final quarter and presented the home outfit with some problems and were rewarded with a converted try late in the game and then nearly scored again but Rochford kept them out until the final whistle blew.

On this occasion it was Rochford’s day and they were not to be denied and finished deserved winners but they know that they will need to go up a further gear next week against second placed Saffron Walden if they want to continue the challenge for second spot.