ROCHFORD BACK ON TRACK

After the disappointing defeat against Chelmsford at home the week before Rochford responded in the best possible way with a dominating win over local rivals Basildon.

Coach George Fouche praised his team for the manner of their performance after a week of hard work and effort.

Truth be told Rochford should have won by more points but they fully deserved this win as they dominated most aspects of play throughout the afternoon.

From the off Rochford looked a different side from last week as they tore into their opponents using the ball through forwards and backs and their efforts were eventually rewarded by Basildon giving away a penalty.

Full back Adam Ashton duly slotted over a neat kick to put his side 3 points up.

More forward pressure from the highly effect Rochford eight created a set scrum on the Basildon line and livewire scrum half Brett Smith powered over for a try which Ashton converted to increase the lead to 10 points.

It started to look ominous for the home team but somehow there was no more score in the first half. This was due to some very stout defence by Basildon and some poor finishing by Rochford in spite of the fact they totally overpowered the Newtowners in the set scrum and were far more aggressive in the loose.

The home outfit did not help their own cause when they did have the ball basic errors put them under pressure from the Rochford loose forwards where Andrew Bevan, Tom Corbet and Scott Horsburgh were rampant.

With the front five of Marks, Hughes, Chivers, Tape and Whight providing a solid platform the back row and scrum half Smith had plenty of ball at their disposal.

Dan Needham at stand-off receiving a good supply of quick ball caused all sorts of problems with his gliding runs and delicate chips and due credit to Basildon as they managed to get to half time without further score.

The second session was very much more of the same and it was not until later in the game that further points came.

Basildon tightened up their scrummage but were still struggling and Rochford’s line out became more of an attacking force where Sam Tape , Andrew Bevan ,Scott Horsburgh and Greg Whight provided quick ball for Smith to launch his backs and a moment of magic from Needham saw him run over for a try to increase the Rochford lead to 15 points.

The game went into the last quarter and the boys in black kept applying the pressure. Young prop Harry Brooker came on to make his debut at this level and straight away showed he could be a force to be reckoned with and showed plenty of potential.

The visitors forced play into the Basildon twenty metre area and then drove over the line for a jubilant Scott Horsburgh to emerge from the bottom of the melee scoring another try for his team.

Minutes remaining and the game became a little frantic as Rochford pushed hard for the bonus try but a hard working Basildon defence and a little fate denied Rochford that last deserved extra bonus point but they were content to settle for a well-deserved win even so.

Next week Diss at home will provide another stern test for the boys but this was a big confidence booster and it is up to them to capitalise on it.