MORALE BOOSTING WIN PUTS SMILES BACK ON ROCHFORD FACES

After the disappointment of last week’s defeat to Norwich this was just what the doctor ordered. Against a good fast flowing Campion outfit Rochford came away with a bonus point win against the odds.

Playing up the slope and into a robust wind Rochford had to defend from the off as the pacey and energetic Campion team set about them moving the ball wide.

Rochford defended well but pressure told and Campion’s wing ran in for an early try .Rochford hung on and weathered the storm and then applied pressure of their own and through the forwards set about the home side on their try line.

The effort was rewarded when prop Michael Mark drove over for a well-deserved try to put his side level.

Unfortunately this did not last long as further sustained Campion pressure gave them two penalty chances which they took to go in front
11 – 5.

Up front the Campion eight were a real challenge for the Rochford forwards where the set piece was fairly equal and in the loose it was a fiercely fought battle between two committed packs. The lineouts were sometimes a free for all with, perhaps the home team getting better advantage as Rochford were a little loose in this aspect of play.

Just before half time when it looked like the visitors might turn around nicely placed Rochford took their eye off the ball and allowed Campion to open up again as they went in for a try which was duly converted to go into the second session 18 - 5 in the lead.

Although Rochford had slope and wind advantage there was still a large hill to climb for them especially as another Campion try increased the home team’s lead.

Well, the boys put their climbing boots on and started the comeback. First Dan Needham beautifully picked up a loose ball to scorch down the field to score under the posts and Adam Ashton added the extra two points.

Next up was impressive centre Matt Stewart, who finished off a fast Rochford response to go over and for Ashton to convert from wide out.

Now Rochford were only 19 -23 down and realised that they had the momentum working in their favour. Campion, once again throw everything at their opponents, but a certain amount of desperation started to appear in their game and they made some basic handling errors to let Rochford off the hook.

Rochford kept their heads and tackled like demons, determined not to give the Romford side any more space and in the forefront was wing Jon Baker who put in a terrific tackle to deny Campion a certain try.

As time started to run out the boys in black forced play down to the Campion line and from a strong set piece that man Brett Smith picked up the ball and somehow burrowed over for a match winning try.

A few nerve racking minutes passed before the final whistle and a delighted Rochford side left the field with big smiles on their faces knowing that they had just provided the perfect antidote for last week’s blues and a step forward in their league battle.

Next week Rochford have a break from league action when they travel over to Chiswick in the Intermediate Cup.