Rochford U9s vs. Southend, 14 February 2010

Very much a game of two different halves. Rochford started off this game very slowly, and were getting bossed by Southend in just about all aspects of the game. Southend were quick into the rucks, winning turnover ball frequently. They were also well organized, passing down the line well, and keeping their shape defensively. Rochford tackling was good, but Southend played through the phases with good team support, and really pressured Rochford constantly, so that they raced into a 4-0 lead with a couple of minutes of the first half still remaining. At this point, it looked like Rochford were in for quite a drubbing, but suddenly things started to turn. Rochford won turnover ball from a maul in their own half, and the ball was passed out to Nicholas, coming into the line from the fullback position. He darted left, shook off a couple of Southend defenders, and ran for the line to pull a try back. A little more respectable, but still 4-1 down at half time.

After a stern half time team talk, Rochford came out for the second half really fired up. We started to win some rucks, and push Southend back in the mauls. Southend attacks were snuffed out by some hard tackling, and Southend were suddenly not looking so unbeatable, with their organization and composure slipping. Rochford pulled another try back, with another run down the touchline by Nicholas after a quick ball out from the scrum. More and more Rochford pressure, and then Chris Hastings did another of his typical mazy runs, trying to beat the whole of the Southend team. Pass Chris, pass, everyone was urging as he met tackle after tackle, but somehow he managed to storm through and touch down, so back to 4-3.

Now the game was really on, and Southend were under the cosh. Rochford were playing well, and there were a couple of good chances to equalise, with James being brought down just before the try line, and Corey also getting pushed back when almost in touching distance. Then with only a minute left to play, Southend came up with their only really dangerous attack of the half, pushing Rochford back into their own half, back nearer the try line, and then winning a scrum after a Rochford knock on. Quick ball out from the scrum, Rochford not really organized and in place, and suddenly Southend were through and scoring the decisive try, to make it 5-3. Time for one last play from the restart, but although Rochford attacked to try to reduce the deficit, we were tackled into touch, and it was game over.