CHAMPION’S SECOND HALF FIGHT BACK TOO MUCH FOR GUTSY ROCHFORD

Playing down the pitch in the first half Rochford knew they had to build a substantial score line to stand a chance of beating the league champions in the second session.

The visitors started at a furious pace and within a few minutes full back Adam Ashton broke through to score a try and also added the extra two points.

Rochford were aggressive in the tackle and full of good attacking play and just did not allow Chelmsford to settle into any form of rhythm and, although the home team clawed back three points with a penalty kick the boys in black dominated the early play.

Rochford more than held their own in the set scrum and were all action in the loose and created a number of good chances to add further points but bad luck and some good Chelmsford defence stopped Rochford adding to their score.

Eventually ,sustained pressure on the Chelmsford line was rewarded by Brett Smith, playing at flanker, who crashed over for his sixteenth try of the season and Ashton duly converted to increase their lead to 14 -3.

Gradually the home outfit fought their way back into the game and a late try just before half time reduced the deficit to 14-8.

With the all-important slope to play up and the sun in their faces Rochford knew that their lead was fragile and the League champions increased the tempo of their game and quickly scored another try and followed up with a penalty kick through their influential stand off to take the lead.

It was his contribution in the second session that was all important to his team and showed why they are going up to London 1 next season.

In spite of some courageous efforts from all of the team Rochford were really up against it as Chelmsford applied the pressure through long, racking kicks and powerful forward play.

Three more converted tries and two penalty kicks took the home team to a commanding position but the score line devalues Rochford’s contribution to this competitive match and the final score did not reflect the full picture.

Rochford did tire in the second half but they did create some more chances to add to their score and finished strongly but it was not to be their day.

Many pluses to take into next week’s last league match against Saffron Walden particularly their aggression, support work and ball handling as well as the good set scrummage.