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