Final League game ends in Victory

The Harts managed to secure an excellent Win for last league game of the season against a very talented Brentwood side. Brentwood were looking for a good end to the season themselves and a top 2 finish and brought along a very strong squad but this wasn’t quite enough to topple the Harts at home.
Brentwood started strong using the impressively big pack with a strong set piece and driving maul to cause Rochford problems, and after a number a penalties against the home side Atkins was eventually shown a Yellow for pulling down the maul. Brentwood however could not capitalise and were getting frustrated and were just not able to penetrate the impressive Rochford defence. During the sin bin it was actually Rochford that recorded the first score with Baker getting an inch of space out wide which he used to power through the defence and score and impressive try converted by Chipper, Rochford 7 – 0 Brentwood.
Back to a full compliment with the return of Atkins Rochford were all power and pressure, the defensively line led by the impressive Brown was not allowing Brentwood to get into the game at all and with ball in hand Rochford were looking very dangerous. Fitzpatrick, having another outstanding game at Fly Half, managed to secure the next try a grubber kick from himself beautifully ended up in the hands of Pickering who drew the last man and return the ball to Fitzpatrick in support he raced clear of the cover defence to put Rochford further ahead again Chipper adding the 2. Rochford 14 – 0 Brentwood.
Next to have a 10 minute rest was Chipper who was accused of foul play for kicking the ball away at the bottom of a ruck and again during this period as the final minutes of the half ticked away it was Rochford that actually capitalised with some impressive back play that saw Wiseman power over out wide to finish the half strong.
Halftime Rochford 19 – 0 Brentwood.
Brentwood hit back immediately in the 2nd half with a well worked try of their own to get themselves some points on the board, but when Chipper returned to the field Rochford were back in control and from a number of scrums on the Brentwood line Chipper himself managed to get over the line for another converted try. Rochford 26 – 5 Brentwood.
The latest score settled the nerves and Rochford made a number of changes with Gledhill and Daly joining the back line as well as a welcome return to the club for Reece Levy who also entered the fray in the front row.
Rochford were showing dominance in open play, defence attack and the set piece. A good driving maul ended up with the returning Levy scoring soon after he came on to further enhance the lead and then some fine running by Bracknell from turn over ball on Rochford’s own 22 metre line managed to release Pickering on the Wing to sprint clear and allowing Wiseman to add the extras for the final score of the game.
Rochford 38 – 5 Brentwood.

Score line didn’t exactly reflect the game as Brentwood were always causing Rochford issues and were arguably one of the best sides the Harts had faced all season, a great game of Rugby was on show and we wish Brentwood well with the remainder of their season as they have everything still to play for in both the Merit League and Essex Cup.
A number of impressive performances from all the squad but special mention to Fitzpatrick who continues to improve week after week, Brown led the defensive line superbly in the centre, but it was Hughes who again earned the Man of Match award for some fine hard line running rugby and seemed to be everywhere in both defence and attack.
With the league games finished Rochford now look forward to continuing their strong run in at the end of the season by welcoming Thurrock in the Essex 2nd XV Cup semi final this coming Saturday, in what should be a cracking game at Magnolia Road.