ROCHFORD GO TOP OF TABLE

Rochford got their home campaign away with a second win on the trot against Hertford on Saturday to put them on top of the table by points difference.

It also brought up their 50th league win without loss to cap a successful afternoon at sun drenched Magnolia Road to the delight of all their faithful supporters,

Unlike last week against their other Hertfordshire opponents Tring, the boys in black took the game to the visitors from the start and were rewarded in short time when captain Harry Hudson drove through for the first try and Cameron Greenhall added the two points to put his side 7 points up.

It was, once again, Rochford’s powerful forwards that laid the foundations for this victory with their strong set scrum and fast powerful running and driving in the loose.

The only area that is not firing as yet, is the lineout which was scrappy and disjointed as last week and for the most part both Rochford and Hertford had difficulty collecting good ball. It was not all bad though as Sam Fombo, Harry Hudson and Jamie Douglas won some excellent ball, but it is an area that needs to be tidied up.

Next up on the score sheet was that fireball called Craig Strachan who emerged from under a great driving piece by the forwards to claim the try and this time Chris Dudman converted to take the score to 14 – 0.

Hertford are a good side and they ran plenty of fast ball through their backs, but the home side’s defence is a force to be reckoned with and they held firm all through the first half`.

Just before the break new signing centre Kieran Martin, who had a good debut, went over for an excellent try and Dudman added the extras.

With the lead 21 – 0 at the turn round, and good value for it, Rochford’s supporters settled back to enjoy the second session.

With 3 tries to the good the boys only needed one more for their bonus point and to keep their record ticking over.

This came very quickly when Hudson finished off some strong, attacking forward play on the Hertford line and Dudman converted once again.

Hertford had taken some stick and they felt like giving some back as they increased the tempo of their attacking play and ran at the Rochford defence with gusto. Their set piece became stronger and gave the Rochford pack a little of the medicine they had dished out earlier.

Hertford put pressure on the home team’s defence, but this is a facet of play that this Rochford outfit revel in and they kept their guests at bay with some fierce tackling.

Eventually the hard work that the visitors put in paid off and they ran in for a good try which was duly converted to take the score line to 28 – 7

During the middle and later part of this half the match became a little bogged down and a stalemate ensued as both teams struggled for supremacy.

Rochford wanted to finish in style, and they did so curtesy of full back Iain Meads as he sped over to score and Chris Dudman finished off a good afternoon’s place kicking by slotting the ball between the posts to bring proceedings to an end.

A well-deserved victory but the boys and the coaches know there are a number of things to sort out pretty quickly with some big games coming up, and the momentum to be kept going.

Next week away at Bedford Athletic and Chris Green will be looking for his team to continue to improve.