1st XV
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019  ·  London & SE Premier
Sidcup
22
45
Rochford Hundred Rugby Club
1st XV
Tries: C Dudman, m billings, M Duaibe (2), B Tunde, H Hudson, K MartinConversions: C Greenhall (5)
Rochford Keep Up The Pressure

Rochford Keep Up The Pressure

Sam Allen7 Oct 2019 - 09:52
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Sidcup v's Rochford by Graham Pratt

This was always going to be a difficult encounter for the Essex boys with a number of injury problems and last minute changes to the side. On top of that to play a fancied outfit on their own turf and who are just lying third in the table was a daunting prospect. It turned out be a very competitive affair with their hosts wanting to move the ball wide at every opportunity and with their long experience at playing at this level.

Rochford Hundred ,however, are also a formidable team with players of vast experience as well and they have a powerful and street wise pack of forwards and some fast ,exciting ball runners in the backs. After some strong attacking opening play by Sidcup where Rochford had to defend stoutly and soak up the pressure, but they gradually began to adapt and using their big forwards to gain some control of the ball supply.

Virtually the first attacking play by the visitors resulted in centre Chris Dudman scoring a well taken try and for Cameron Greenhall to convert. Shortly after another fine piece of play saw Greenhall looking across to the wing and putting up an excellent kick which the speedy Mark Billings collected. He timed his run to perfection and with a favourable bounce sped over to ground between the posts. Greenhall added the extra and Rochord were 14- 0 to the good.

Sidcup are a good side and they responded well applying pressure of their own which was rewarded with a good try and the conversion from their stand off reduced the deficit. In fact their no.10 was an influential presence for Sidcup, especially when he intercepted a Rochford pass near the half way line and ran the length of the field to ground under the posts and then convert his own try to level the score at 14 – 14.

The set scrums were fairly even although the powerful Rochford pack always caused problems for the opponents, but the line outs were a bit of a mess on occasions. Harry Hudson and B.J. Tunde did win plenty of good ball and the other forwards gave strong support in attacking the Sidcup line-out.

Where Rochford were very strong though was in the loose and where Mac Duaibe was outstanding and with big ball carriers like Chris Shields, Michael Guess, Hudson, Tunde ,Tod Bailey and others they were able to control play and gain territory when needed.

Duaibe was next up when he powered over and the excellent Greenhall duly converted. Unfortunately Rochford lost Chris Shields when he had to retire with a leg injury but it allowed young Harry Hawes to make his first team debut. He was immediately into action making a try saving dive on the ball and then getting up to recycle the ball back into Rochford hands.

The Kent side hit back when their no.10 kicked a penalty to narrow the score line to 21- 17.

Just before half time more aggressive Rochford forward play saw B.J.Tunde go over for the bonus point try and Greenhall added the two points to take his side to 28 – 17 at the break. Although on the face of it, Rochford were well in control! Sidcup were always dangerous with ball in hand and the visitors needed to put more points on the board to really feel safe.

Experienced prop Michael Guess had to leave the game with an injury so adjustments were made and replacement Kerion Martin came on to balance things out a little. With the Rochford pack in fine form it was only fitting that “big Mac” Duaibe scored the next try and widen the gap before Sidcup responded with a third try of their own to close the arrears again.

As shown in previous matches Rochford tend to finish strongly due to their fitness levels and shear bloody mindlessness and so it was this afternoon. The home side became more aware that they needed to take risks to keep in the game which lead to mistakes and Rochford punished them. First captain Harry Hudson scored a typical Harry Hudson try and then later in the half Kerion Martin drove through to score and Greenhall finished proceedings by converting and rounding off a very satisfying afternoon.

Excellent performances all round with Forwards and backs combing well with the likes of Iain Meads ,Danny Cleare, Damien Brambley together with the ever elusive Mark Billings and Chris Dudman showing their off their skills. Stand off Greenhall seems to get better with each game and his kicking and awareness is a big asset.

The Rochford eight were, once again, the driving force and although missing some players through injury still maintained a high intensity, which will be needed in the hard weeks to come and keeping pressure on leaders Wimbledon.

Team: Bailey,Brunger,Guess,Tunde,Bevans-Royston,Shields,Hudson,Duaibe,
Arnott, Greenhall, Cleare, Dudman, Brambley, Billings, Meads

Subs: Hawes, Gould, Martin

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

11:30

Instructions

Rayleigh Weir

Competition

London & SE Premier

League position

2
Rochford Hundred
5
Sidcup
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Club Sponsor - SEETEC
1st XV Sponsor - MAH Builders
1st XV Sponsor - Fairfield BMW
1st XV Sponsor - Swiftclean
1st XV Sponsor - MadiganGill
1st XV Sponsor - Grassed Up
Main Club Sponsor - Kelly Group
1st XV Player Sponsor - Securitatem Group
U15s Main shirt sponsor - Central Cars
1st XV Sponsor - OCL Facades Ltd
1st XV Sponsor - I-MEX (M&E) Ltd
Club Sponsor - Zing Mortgages
Club Sponsor - Sureweld
1st XV Sponsor - JKS Group
Club Sponsor - Brocks Haulage
Club Sponsor - Alvaros
1st XV Player Sponsor - Middleham Park Racing
1st XV Player Sponsor - Andrew House
1st XV Player Sponsor - Fit Performance Strength & Conditioning
1st XV Player Sponsor - Kidz Camp Essex
1st XV Sponsor - Stanmore Ltd
1st XV Player Sponsor - John Drinkwater
Club Sponsor - The Backbenchers
1st XV Player Sponsor - Matt Norris
1st XV Player Sponsor - A&R Elite Scaffolding
1st XV Player Sponsor - Panel Supplies Ltd
1st XV Player Sponsor - Alan Peacock
1st XV Player Sponsor - Alchemy Horse Racing Systems
1st XV Player Sponsor - Tower Demolition
1st XV Player Sponsor - Maguire Roofing Ltd
1st XV Player Sponsor - Associated Foreign Exchange
1st XV Player Sponsor - Dantel Construction
1st XV Player Sponsor - Dancework Studio
1st XV Player Sponsor - Nuffield Health - Brentwood Hospital
1st XV Player Sponsor - Snappy Photo Booths
1st XV Player Sponsor - Mike Drinkwater
1st XV Player Sponsor - Ian Brown
1st XV Player Sponsor - ARC Systems Ltd
1st XV Player Sponsor - Peter Jay
1st XV Player Sponsor - Simon & Laura Wakefield
Club Sponsor - Hills Prospect
Club Sponsor - Silver City Estates Ltd
1st XV Sponsor - SDM Roofing Ltd
Club Sponsor - Hockley Dental Surgery
Club Sponsor - Michael J Norris and Son
Club Kit Supplier - Fenton Sports