Rochford Return

After a 3 year absence Rochford Harts XV returned to Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table 1 and made a good account of themselves against a strong Brentwood side, and it could of easily been a different outcome.
With Harts XV captain Louis Warner unavailable for the opening league game of the season, Jack Doherty playing at Fly Half deputised and lead the side out as the campaign began.
Playing up the slope in the first half Rochford knew they were in for a tough 40 minutes and this became even harder when with less than 5 minutes on the clock the well drilled Brentwood side moved the ball effortlessly out wide and into the hands of their big Number 8 who effortlessly brushed off a couple of tackles from 20 metres out and then had enough to get over the line for the opening score of the afternoon which was converted. Brentwood 7 – 0 Rochford.
Rochford were defending well and managing to clear their lines but had little time on the ball to create any patterns of play and were well camped in their 22 for the first 20 minutes. Eventually pressure told once more and Brentwood again went over for another converted try, Brentwood 14 – 0 Rochford.
That was the wake up call that the boys in black eventually needed and the tide began to turn. Rochfords powerful pack began to take control with the front row of Illingworth, Rowe and Aungier far superior against a large well drilled Brentwood eight. Pack leader Murphy returning to the side after a 9 month injury lay off showed his class and rallied his pack to dominance in the set piece just as it was looking like the game could slip away from them. Ably assisted in the second row by the ever improving and lively Brackett, Murphy and his pack were disrupting any momentum that Brentwood had and turning the ball over time and again.
Now with the ball in hand, a returning Bracknell at scrum half was easily able to control his forwards and was eventually able to give a platform to the Rochford backs. A number of surging runs from the backline as well as new openside Turner and Rochfords impressive number 8 Harry Obeney Rochford went close on a number of occasions to cross the line but for some minor handlings errors and giving away penalties in dangerous areas.
However to end the half it was Brentwood who managed to have the last word. Following a dubious penalty on the Rochford 10 metre line, which was followed by the Brentwood player tap and go behind the referees back only for him to fumble it and knock it on but for some reason was still allowed to play, as it all went completely unseen, and he raced away to record Brentwoods 3rd try of the half.
Half Time Brentwood 19 – 0 Rochford
Playing down the slope Rochford knew they were still in with a chance. Coach Ryan Stephenson made a couple of replacements at half time bringing on Goodliffe to 8, moving Harry Obeney into Hooker in replace of the excellent Rowe, and bringing on Atkins for Aungier at tight head who had been working hard to ensure pack dominance in the first 40. The half started with a bang for Rochford, the always impressive Duboux managing another turn over allowed Ashton playing in the centre with Gledhill to get his hands on the ball and kick deep into the Brentwood half, a knock on resulted in a Rochford scrum 5 yards out from Brentwoods line.
How would the changes to the pack at half time affect the scrum ? More dominance as it turns out, and a well worked push over try for Goodliffe. Brentwood 19 – 5 Rochford. Rochford started to look more and more dangerous with ball in hand, some brilliant tactical kicking by Ashton, Doherty and Bracknell, and managing to move the ball wide to the excellent back three of Delicata, Elkins and Watkins Rochford were on top but needed to convert pressure into points.
Brentwood were defending their line superbly but after 56 minutes and another couple of changes in the pack bringing on Payne in the back row and Lee Obeney into the second row, Rochford managed to break the line again, Ashton unlucky not to score himself managed to pop the ball up to Payne who made sure of the score, Brentwood 19 – 10 Rochford.
An excellent response from Brentwood saw them with ball in hand and going close a couple of times to stretch out their lead again and would of done so if not for some excellent defense from the Harts and impressive full back Watkins who was seemed to clear lines with ease.
Another surge forward and with ball in hand once more Rochford crossed the line again with powerful debutant Turner this time crossing the line, Brentwood 19 – 15 Rochford. With ten minutes still to play Rochford felt they were in control and could provide a big upset on their return to the league by taking the scalp of one of the favourites for this seasons title.
This was until….
After some excellent work clearing his lines Watkins chased his kick only to be tripped by an opposition player in front of the referee which not only went unpunished but the loose ball gave advantage to Brentwood who managed to build a quick return up field and to cross the line under the posts for an easily converted try Brentwood 26 – 15 Rochford.
With just a minute remaining on the clock the game was over although the Harts never let their heads drop and again mounted an attack, Elkins kicking ahead and the chase was on, knocked back by the Brentwood wing Elkins gathered and dived other the line to touch down the loose ball but the referee judged it to be knocked on and the final whistle blew.
Final Score - Brentwood 26 – 15 Rochford
Although truly gutted by the result the Harts now know they belong in this league and can mount a challenge of their own. It was a brilliant display which was echoed by coach Stephenson in his words after the game, who believes that his squad, with a bit of hard work will only get bigger fitter and stronger, and with a number of playing personnel missing due to holidays, injuries and unavailabilities it could be an excellent season ahead.

MOTM – Dan Bracknell – Welcome return the squad for Dan who was immense in controlling the pack as well as his overall game management.