Rochford U12s vs. South Woodham Ferrers, 25 October 2009

This was a very evenly matched contest, which saw Rochford gain the opening points after Adam B had powered through a crowd of players to score. (Lewis converted).

Louis was enabling early play where possible, and both Tom and William S had chances near to the Woodham line. Rochford had to defend a lot of the half, and were always under severe pressure in the scrum, where Kyle, Adam H, Karl B, Connor, Adam B, and William D gave their best against a strong Woodham pack.

Despite attacking runs from Oliver, Jack, Ross and Louis, Rochford could not grab that important second try, and after further Woodham attacks were fortunate to be 7-0 in front at the interval.

With the ‘home’ advantage more than being outweighed by unfavourable decisions from the Woodham referee, and the ball ‘not bouncing our way’, Rochford found it a real struggle in the second half, with chances being few. Despite continuing strong tackles from Oliver and Lewis, we did not seem to be able to get the ball away from our own half, and therefore it came as no surprise to see Woodham score an equaliser (converted). Although the lads tried valiantly, the disappointment of a disallowed try soon after, combined with intense Woodham pressure, eventually led to Woodham scoring a second, and with the referee wasting no time in blowing for the final whistle, Woodham were the 12 – 7 victors. This, alas, was one of those matches where ‘the writing was on the wall’ for Rochford throughout the second half.

The general view of many present, was that what could have been a Rochford victory, was not for the first time, or even second or third time, a resulting defeat where, the referee from the opposing team adversely affected the end result. Déjà vu!!! (It was a shame that the Basildon official did not referee this match, and that the Woodham official did not referee the Rochford v Basildon match, ….especially as Rochford provided the referee for the last Basildon v Woodham match).