Rochford WIN at the Gables

Having their league encounter with Woodford cancelled late on Friday morning Rochford 2nd XV travelled to Westcliff who once again were able to accommodate the lads from Magnolia Road for a friendly fixture.
The game was an entertaining affair which saw Rochford eventually secure the win after a see saw battle with their counterparts from The Gables.
It was Westcliff who started the better securing their first try early on after some strong running by both their forwards and backs managing to break the line Westcliff 5 – 0 Rochford. Rochford then hit back which set the scene for the majority of the first half through a well taken try by Dolman out wide, Westcliff 5 – 5 Rochford. Unable to get a proper foothold in the match Westcliff exposed Rochford out wide again and took the lead, Westcliff 10 – 5 Rochford.
Rochford then started to control the rest of the half with some good defensive work and some excellent attacks from deep in their own half only to fall foul to some handling and passing errors, eventually however they got it right and levelled the scores again through an Andy Baker try, Westcliff 10 – 10 Rochford.
For the remainder of the first half neither side managed to completely control the encounter however it was Westcliff who once again took the lead on the stroke of halftime again with a score out wide after some aggressive attack play saw Rochford over commit to the breakdowns and were left out numbered in the backline allowing Westcliff to score in the corner.
Half time; Westcliff 15 – 10 Rochford
At the start of the second half it was Westcliff who began the brighter once again and from the kick off surged up field controlling possession and eventually scoring again, Westcliff 20 – 10 Rochford.
That was the wake up call Rochford needed as there weren’t about to lie down and allow their close neighbours to take this one and hit back with some fine work through the forwards and backs, getting deep into the Westcliff 22 and eventually Andy Baker popping up on the wing avoided a number of covering tackles to score his second of the afternoon which was converted by Head, Westcliff 20 – 17 Rochford.
Shortly after a fine break from Dorrington down the blindside saw him avoid a tackle from the Winger and released Head in space, who some how was chasing up the wing in support, with some 30 yards to go the way was clear, Head looked like he was treading water as he made his way to the line, and had to check inside and sit down the covering defender before eventually making his way over the line to put Rochford ahead for the first time in the match, Westcliff 20 – 22 Rochford.
Next up was Harry Obeney, a fine line deep in midfield saw him cut through the defence of Westcliff side step the full back to score, Head adding the conversion, Westcliff 20 – 29 Rochford. Westcliff had ideas of their own though and battled back into the game once again scoring out wide through some powerful play to reduce the deficit, Westcliff 25 – 29 Rochford.
It was all Rochford from here on out, again some fine running from the backs and in particular new addition Bermon and a returning Huckett who were having excellent games on the wings. It was Bermon who found some space released Full Back Head who made a another fine run deep into the Westcliff 22 drew the last man and gave the ball on to Stephenson who cut a fine running line to split the covering defence in half and dot down just wide of the posts leaving Head a simple conversion, Westcliff 25 – Rochford 36.
Rochford managed to see out the rest of the game in control and on the stroke of the final whistle scrum half Bracknell took a quick tap penalty just yards from the Westcliff line sold a dummy and went over himself, again Head adding the extras to close out the game.
Some fine displays from the front row of Illingworth, Hughes and Rowe set the platform for the rest of the forwards to work from and good to see a returning Basham get some much needed game time in the second half along with some good performances from Lee Obeney, Jonny Fitzpatrick and Jon Baker all of which worked tirelessly through out the game in both attack and defence to ensure a good victory on the road again.
Next week sees the return of the Harts to Essex Cup action when they host May & Baker at Magnolia Road.