Rochford Edge Past Braintree

Rochford Hundred Harts XV managed to beat a tough Braintree side despite being well off par. With only 5 players in the side that started the week before against Westcliff, it does show that the Harts have strength in depth but maybe it was a few too many changes to maintain that continuity as of late. Braintree started the game the brightest taking the game immediately to the home side however were unable to break down the rock solid defence. They were rewarded however with a couple of penalty chances that were narrowly missed which would have given them a well deserved lead.

After soaking up the pressure Rochford started to play in fits and starts showing how dangerous they were with ball in hand. The pack this week led by Scott Goodliffe was completely dominant which beggar’s belief why the game ended so close. The opening score came from a scrum five yards out, a pick up by number eight Goodliffe drew the defenders away from the line and Goodliffe off loaded to Dorrington who wasn’t going to be stopped yards from the line, Head added the extras Rochford 7 – 0 Braintree.

Rochford dominated the rest of the half in both open play and the set piece and eventually managed to break down the Braintree defence again with an impressive catch and drive from 20 yards out that saw Morris dot down over the line to increase the lead again converted by Head. Rochford 14 – 0 Braintree. The half was finished with another Rochford score when outstanding flanker Searles ran some 30 yards evading tackles and brushing off defenders to increase the lead at halftime to Rochford 19 – 0 Braintree. Comment of the day came after the game when returning prop Page said he was about to go on a similar run had he received that pass instead of Searles... I look forward to seeing that next week now then Pagey.

That was however as good as it got for Rochford after the break Braintree dominated the next 30 minutes, they were quickest to the break down, turned Rochford over at ruck time and used their powerful centre to break the gain line on several occasions. Braintree were rewarded in this period with two well taken and converted tries to put them within touching distance of the boys from Magnolia Road, Rochford 19 – 14 Braintree.

In danger of collapse Rochford upped their game and took control and were unlucky themselves when on two separate occasions were denied tries when the ball was judged to have gone forward in the pass. In the closing moments and what could have turned out to be the try of the game, the Braintree scrum half broke the line of defence from his own 22 yard line and sprinted down field, however full back Conneely returning himself from a lengthy injury lay off wasn’t about to see his return be a losing one and put in one hell of a cover tackle to deny Braintree that all import third try.

A win is a win they say and the Harts will take that one to remain in the hunt for the BL Essex Division 1 title. Next week the lads are back on Essex Cup duty, quarter final against Campion II at home. A much better performance is guaranteed and the boys will look to get back to playing the impressive style of Rugby that has seen them through so well during the season so far.