ASHTON LEADS ROCHFORD TO EMPHATIC WIN

A 23 point total by stand-off Tom Ashton with 2 tries, 5 conversions and a penalty helped see off a fiery and committed but in the end outplayed South Woodham side.

After a hectic first few minutes with the home team looking strong up front Rochford counterattacked and Ashton broke free to score a good try which he duly converted to put his side ahead.

He shortly after slotted over a penalty kick after further Rochford pressure and to take the score to 10 -0 but then Woodham applied some good forward drives and drove over for a converted try.

The game was rather frantic during this stage of play with South Woodham trying to force Rochford into making mistakes and the visitors attempting to run the ball wide using their fast and skilful back division.

From one of these moves Ashton saw a gap and raced through only to be caught before the try line but was able to off load to the supporting Matt Stewart to cross for a fine try which Ashton converted.

Late in the half the home team clawed back 3 points with a penalty and turned round at the break 10 – 17 down.

The second half was a case of Rochford’s superior fitness, power and skill gradually taking over as the hard working and determined home outfit started to tire.

Classy full back Dan Needham who had been coming into the line all afternoon broke from well within his own half and glided through the Woodham defence to score a lovely try.

Tom Ashton added the extra points to extend the score line to 24 -10 and allowed Rochford the benefit of some breathing space.

Rochford’s set scrum began to dominate and the tiring Woodham forwards were having to defend desperately to keep their opponents at bay.

The boys in black pushed hard for the extra bonus point which did come when Ashton stormed over to score under the posts and added the conversion.

Late in the half all action wing Sam Edwards crashed through for a fifth try and Ashton completed his points tally with the conversion.

With the score at 38 – 10 the visitors seemed to take their foot off the pedal and Woodham took advantage to score a breakaway try which was duly converted to make the score line more respectable but they knew that they were beaten by the better side on the day and if Rochford had been more clinical it could have been more.

In the forwards Jake Knowles had another fine game as did Darren Spencer, Tom Corbet, Greg Whight and all the other forwards.

The pack, as a competitive unit, seems to become stronger and more organised with every game at present and has been the foundation of the many wins this season.

The backs showed their skill, pace and fitness with Bracknell, Ashton, Stewart and Michael Stemp at Half back and centre while Edwards and Tom Pickering, then later Andy Baker, stretched the South Woodham defence on a number of occasions. At full back Dan Needham added that extra dimension.