Harts off the mark with a Home WIN

Rochford Hundred Harts XV secured their 1st league win at home against a solid Romford outfit to kick off their Shepherd Neame Essex Merit League 1 campaign Saturday. Romford turned up without a full front row but in the spirit of the game Rochfords coach Ryan Stephenson agreed to the game being played and result to stand despite the scrums going uncontested.
Rochford for a second week on the bounce started slowly which needs to be addressed and conceded within the first 5 minutes to a well taken try by Romford to put them into a well deserved lead. Rochford 0 – 5 Romford. Rochford began to wake up but without the scrum were finding it difficult to set a platform. Some ill discipline from Romford cost them some penalties enabling fly half Head to gain field advantage from the resulting kicks and put the boys from Magnolia Road on the front foot.
From a well worked line out Rochford pressed the line with some excellent pick and go work which resulted in Rowe crashing other the line to make the honours even, Rochford 5 -5 Romford. Rochford were starting to show dominance in the pack but couldn’t get the ball out wide or the back line going but another line out 10 metres out and some hard work against a dogged Romford defence saw Rochfords Captain Warner manage to break through the line to score a try, converted by Head. Rochford 12 – 5 Romford.
Half time came and so did the changes, without the need for front row coach Stephenson decided to utilise his bench by putting on the experienced Murphy and ever improving Lacey to give the lads some extra pace and strength in attack. Again the replacements paid dividends as it wasn’t long before Rochford were pressing the line again and an intercepted pass saw Gledhill race away to extend the lead. Rochford 17 – 5 Romford.
The Romford lads weren’t about to lie down though and worked themselves up field through some aggressive open play work and following a quick turnover managed to get the ball wide to their impressive centre who raced away to close the gap with a converted try, Rochford 17 – 12 Romford.
Rochford under pressure knew they needed to start to close out the game, a well worked move and powerful play by the Rochford pack saw them get quick ball for scrum half Bracknell to be able to release the backs who showed excellent speed of hands to get the ball wide which eventually fell in the hands of vice skipper Doherty who either stepped beautifully or stumbled (verdict is still out) past the Romford full back to extend Rochfords lead, Rochford 22 – 12 Romford.
On the attack again and some excellent work through the forwards and backs, saw pressure being applied to Romford in their own 22. Deciding to try and run it out of danger another interception this time by Delicata saw him race away under the posts to provide the final try of the game and an easy conversion for Head to nail, Rochford 29 – 12 Romford.
Despite the slow start and some excellent defense and brilliant turn over rate from Romford, The Harts did manage to see out the game and ensure their first win of the season, plenty to work on in coming weeks to ensure they maintain a better playing standard but the win will breed confidence that will hopefully improve the squad week by week.
This Saturday sees the Harts take a trip up the A130 to old foes Chelmsford which should be a cracker of a game.