ROCHFORD SHOW CHARACTER TO SNATCH LAST MINUTE VICTORY

This was an exciting match of two teams with different styles slogging it out to the very eventful end.

Rochford, once again, showed flair and grit in equal amounts and Diss provided a strong and determined opposition with good defence and power up front.

Rochford came out all guns blazing and took on Diss to deny them any good ball as they drove into the loose and tackle with real aggression

Ironically it was against the run of play that after a penalty to Diss and a kick behind the Rochford line the visitors pounced on loose ball to score a try in spite of protests by the home side that they thought the ball had been grounded just before.

The try was converted but Rochford came back with a vengeance and a passage of play resulted in wing Jon Baker scoring a good try to make it
5 -7.

Rochford’s set scrum was holding up well against a bigger well drilled pack and their lineout was looking on form although too much tapped ball gave scrum half Brett Smith plenty of tidying up to do which he did well to feed the impressive Dan Needham who was always creating plenty of problems for the Diss defence.

A good piece of play by the boys in black allowed centre Matt Stewart too make an incisive break and wing Tom Dulieu was on hand to take the final pass to slip inside to score an excellent try.

Rochford were now 10 – 7 up and started to look good value for it as they stretched the Diss defence on a number of occasions.

However just before half time the visitors forced play up to the Rochford line and some concentrated play was rewarded with a converted try as the half time whistle went and Diss retook the lead at 10 -14.

Rochford had been very strong in the loose where prop Scott Chivers had been prominent and it was only fitting that he should score the next try after a forward drive on the Diss line and Adam Ashton duly converted to put Rochford ‘s noses in front at 15 -14.

Ashton increased their lead with a penalty kick but the Norfolk side fought back and pushed the home team back on their on line.

A strong set scrum forced a Rochford error and the referee awarded Diss a penalty try to take them back in front again at 20 -21.

More Rochford pressure allowed centre Michael Stemp room to run over for a try to edge his side ahead at 25 21 but in the final minutes Diss fought back to score what appeared to be a heart breaking try to go 25 -26. In front.

With only just about 4 minutes left it seemed the game was up for the home side but this was where the team’s character took over as they stormed into the Diss defence and a quick attack saw Matt Stewart burst through to kick the ball ahead and follow up .

A good team needs to create a little luck and so it was as Stewart took full advantage of the bounce to ground for a match winning try.

The final whistle blew and a jubilant Rochford came away with a bonus point victory which, in truth, they deserved and Diss go away with two losing bonus points which could prove important in weeks to come.

Good individual performances from a number of players but this was a team effort and they should take confidence from that going into an Intermediate Cup match next week against Hampstead.