Rochford overcame the strong challenge of a good quality Guernsey outfit after their opposition had fought back to within two points after virtually being down and out in this excellent and exciting contest.

Both sides had big, strong and committed forwards who battled it out all afternoon, but it was that little extra strength, skill and grit that made the difference in the end.

A large crowd expected a tough affair and they were not disappointed as both teams went at each other from the start with Guernsey getting the better of early exchanges.

They were awarded a penalty and went 3 points up within minutes of the kick-off only to then be forced back to their own line where Harry Hudson dived through after Rochford forward pressure. Cameron Greenhall converted the try to take his team 7 – 3 into the lead.

More Rochford attacking play saw wing Danny Cleare given space which he made full use of to storm through to score and Greenhall converted from the touchline to put the home side 14 – 3 up.

Guernsey are no slouches with ball in hand and they responded when their big winger raced over to score to reduce the deficit.

In the set scrum honours were fairly even and the lineout were fiercely contested where Sam Fombo and Harry Hudson won some excellent ball.

Going into the final 15 minutes of the first half the Essex lads upped their game and scored three tries on the trot by Adam Ferrier, a Sam Arnott effort to bring up the bonus point and another from Danny Cleare.

With the score standing at 29 – 8 it looked like game over, but good sides have a way of turning things round and a late converted try by the Guernsey scrum half took the scoreboard to 29 – 15 at the break.

The Channel Islanders are a quality team and they showed this during the first quarter of the second half as they gained a great deal of possession and put it to good use. Rochford were also at a disadvantage having to play one man short after a yellow card offence for ten minutes.

Guernsey created two further tries, one of which was converted to put themselves only two points adrift at 29 – 27 and it was now game on.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy and something was needed by Rochford if they wanted to win and to keep their unbeaten run going.

They dug deep and took control again through their powerful pack and elusive runners.

Their next try was a peach when after some substantial pressure on the Guernsey line scrum half Sam Arnott saw Mark Billings free on the touchline and floated a delicate kick over the opposition defence for Billings to caught the ball and speed over for a great try. Greenhall added the extra two points to increase Rochford’s lead.

Guernsey came back strongly but the home team’s well drilled defence held firm and late in the game salt was rubbed into the visitors wound when replacement scrum half Ricki Gould scored a fine individual try and Cameron Greenhall converted to finish the game off.

A terrific match to watch and great character shown by every Rochford player who were heroes to a man. There were mistakes made and these will need to be worked on, but this was an excellent performance against very good opposition which will give the lads a confidence boost for the further hard weeks to follow.