Rochford U12s vs. Southend, 14 February 2010

Rochford kicked off and, happily as now seems the norm, were very quickly a try up courtesy of Oli B. Great stuff and big cheers all round. From the re-start we continued to press hard and, after some superb Forwards play, the ball made it to Will D who surged through an unsettled Southend defence to make it Try number two. It was obvious to all that Southend were well and truly rattled and so, let battle commence!.

“Go Gerbil go”, shouted the Southend coach. Was this a coded message to his team or a nickname of one of their players ?. Who cares, we’ve got a Ferret !. Southend now tried hard to put to use their larger pack but, try as might, our own Forwards were having none of it. Time and time again Southend ran at us and each time we repelled them. Rochford managed to secure ball and some lovely passing along the three quarters saw Tom on the wing so nearly making it Try number three. So near, but held off at the last few yards. A bit more bulk and he’d have been there – more dinners required please mum.

Some underhand skirmishes in the scrum by, it would seem, frustrated Southend players and tempers began to fray. Perhaps they were unused to being out-played or perhaps they were spurred on by some of their own rather vocal parents, but it started to get a bit dirty. When Mikey finally snapped and retaliated he did it in full view of the ref who had no option but to award Southend the penalty. However, Southend failed to make use of it and Rochford held them off yet again. When their biggest, and dirtiest, Forward was pushed into touch the whistle went for half time and a well deserved breather for both players and frazzled parents alike.

The second half kicked off and Southend came out of the blocks fast. A charge though and Rochford missed several tackles to allow them to get a Try on their scoreboard. However, they failed to convert - something
that might prove costly perhaps ?. Rochford rallied very quickly and then continued to show the opposition how to play as a team. Ball was moved skilfully along the line and Tom nearly went over again. So close. Southend kicked high into Rochford’s defence but with Jack as full back there was never any doubt that the ball would be dropped, and he didn’t disappoint. Back came the boys again and now Southend were well and truly frustrated. After some dangerous tackling, which the ref saw, and some off the ball stamping on Jack, which the ref didn’t, Ferret and Tom went down and Rochford were awarded a penalty. Adam H charged forward and whilst several of our Forwards went with him, an incident further back caught everyone’s attention.

For reasons unknown Southend were throwing punches at several of the Rochford players and, it would seem, a FIGHT was on!. Whilst the ref and the coaches roared across the pitch to stop the affray, several of the Rochford mums expressed their “disquiet” at such a poor show – or something like that. However, as one was Match Reporter’s own better half, self preservation prevents a full report on what actually was said !. Suffice it to say this was no longer just a match, this was War.

The main Southend culprit was pulled off and Rochford were awarded the penalty. Our boys lined up, and forward we went, making Southend pay for their un-sportsmanship behaviour with a third Try, by Oli B, which was again converted. And with that the full time whistle went – not a moment too soon as tempers were up, and I don’t mean the players.

At the post match debrief Coach praised the boys for a truly outstanding game played under such duress. Great passing and super team work and Forward play had worked well with areas of improvement agreed by all to be better quality tackling and the need for the Backs to be flatter when in defence. Great effort boys in what was a very tough match and a bit of a baptism of fire for Lucas, Oli M and, indeed, our own duty ref – Andy.

Well done.