Rochford Harts up and Running

On a warm Saturday afternoon in Harlow, the Harts had to work hard to record their 1st league win of the season. Rochford were boosted by the return of their Captain Paul Head along with other key players such as Richardson, Rowe, Atkins, Meadows, Robinson and O'Benny as well as the introduction of new boy Craig Pledger. Playing up the slope in the first half Rochford were under a great deal of pressure from a well organised Harlow pack for much of the session. Harlow continued to test the defensive abilities of the Rochford outfit, but the excellent Rochford pack fought back heroically and managed to keep the opposition away from the danger zone.

The lineout was working superbly with Billy Ellis and Meadows controlling the game from there and when the ball got out to the Harts backs they looked very dangerous with some excellent breaks from Richardson and Brown. The first points of the game came from the first attack into the Harlow half. Rochford were rewarded a penalty for an infringement at the ruck which Head duly converted 0-3.

The next points came at the end of the half after the Rochford pack had managed to maul its way over the halfway line from another well controlled lineout they broke free and deep into the Harlow half before conceding a scrum for a handling error. However from the resulting scrum the Rochford backline put the pressure on the Harlow defence and some excellent work by Richardson managed to turn the ball over to Head who fed Wiseman the ball for the opening try, with Head adding the extras.

Halftime: Harlow 0 - 10 Rochford

At the start of the 2nd half and now playing down the slope the Harts were full of energy even though they had just spent the last 40 mins in defence mode. The scrums led by Brad Day and the excellent Billy Rowe started to work well, along with Ellis still in control of the line out, both Rochford's and Harlow's. Halftime also saw the introduction of new boy Craig Pledger on the wing who was about to show the Harts why he was brought into the side.

An early penalty by Head moved the Harts further ahead and were looking good at 0-13. Harlow were not done yet and again started to apply the pressure causing Rochford to have to clear their lines rather than set up attacking moves from their impressive backline. However after a poor kick by the Harlow wing in midfield the ball was collected by flyhalf Head, who quickly set up an attack through Richardson whos dynamic running eventually drew the covering tacklers to him before he set the ball free for Pledger to race down the line to score his first try on debut, 0-18.

Harlow hit back with a well worked try through their forwards reducing the deficit to 5-18, before the Rochford pack decided to once again show their power. In what was probably the best move of the game the forwards turned over the Harlow pack at a ruck and used their impressive maul to take the ball 30 yards down field before releasing the backline who’s impressive hands once again fed Pledger who showed both pace and power to score another try 5-23.

From there the clock rolled down and at the final whistle Rochford Harts were pleased with their performance. A lot of work is still needed for this team to realise its full potential, and the Harts face a stern test against a good Chingford outfit next week at Magnolia Road.