Rams 11 - Canvey II 17

The first half got under way with the the Rochford team looking at the Canvey side and thinking that the fixtures secretary may have got the teams wrong. It appeared to many of the Rochford senior players that Canvey had turned up with their colt side with one or two older players thrown in for good measure?
Anyway, the game got going and from the very start the home team forwards soon exerted their dominance up front. Almost every scrum was won by the Rams, both on their put in and against the head. All the forward players played united, as a single unit. The line outs were equally matched but the Rams gained the lions share of the battles in the air. The backs also played well, with some good open play. It was soon apparent that the Canvey young, fast boys were not getting the ball they wished for, not yet anyway!
The scoring was opened from a Dave Isaacs penalty who having just returned to the side after a 2 week lay off following an 'injury' in a previous match, slotted the ball between the uprights. Play continued and both sides gave their all. The Canvey forwards fought the best they could but the Rams strength up front was too much, soon the ref, who was having a very good game at this moment in time saw an infringement by the away side and another penalty was awarded to the Rams. Ball on tee and with the trusty boot of Dave Isaacs behind it there was no doubt that another 3 points were in the bag. Half time came and the home team were 6-0 in the lead.
The second half was played in much the same manner as the first with the Rams keeping the ball amongst the forwards and then off-loading to the backs. A return to the fold from 'Macca' McCready (who has been away from the game for far too long with injury), linked well with 'Wally' McAlpine, the two wings Kev Hughes and Nick Austin and fullback Chris Morgan.
It was now the time for the Canvey backs to show what they were made of. With some fine ball handling and excellent support play they scored their first points with a well worked try. Score 6-5.
The game flowed to and fro and Rochford were soon taking the game once again to Canvey. A scrum on the opposition 5 meter line,an almighty push and the Canvey pack were on the back foot and behind their try line unfortunately the ball shot out on the Canvey side and was grounded. Another scrum but this time the Rams pack were more in control and marched the Canvey backwards and over the try line once again, this time however, Rochford No.8 Russ Clarke put downward pressure on the ball and the home team were again in the lead. Dave Isaacs narrowly missed the conversion. Score 11-5.
The game now moved into the last 10 mins and with injuries to a number of Rams players the momentum started to slip from their grasp. Canvey started to use their Backs more and soon the gaps appeared.
With about 4 mins to go Canvey struck with a try out wide this was not converted and Canvey led 11-12. From the kick off the ball was soon back inside the Rochford 22, the ball was then played out to the backs and with a three man over lap scored just outside the uprights, this was converted and Canvey increased their lead to 11-17. Rochford hurried the ball back to the center spot for kick off but play brought to a close by the loud whistle of the ref.
Fair play to the Canvey guys for their win they did play to the final whistle and never gave up.
Rochford played well as a team and were it not for injuries and combined pack age of about 700 could have, in my opinion could of won the day !
My Man of the Match could have gone to any one of about 18 players they all played that well, BUT with not too much deliberation I have awarded it to a well deserving Mick Read, from the moment he came on to the pitch he tackled everything and did not stop until the final whistle. WELL DONE Mick.
The 'BEAR' would have gone to Mr K.Hughes for his flagrant use of language of the bad taste, however this was not returned by the previous 'winner' who now owes the team £10 in fines. You know who you are and we will take the money from any member of your male family, (if you know what I mean??!!). Kev was given the 'Reserve Bear' and the rules still apply to this (ie. Photos and extra item attached to its body).
Well done to all those who attended the Barn Dance and thanks to Kev for the invite. Great night, Great food and music. Not too sure about the dancing though. Am having serious doubts about Ash, his "Gay Gordon" was just too good !

Regards Mike O.

HERE'S CANVEY IS RFC MATCH REPORT !

On another rather unusually warm Saturday, Canvey made the short journey across Raleigh Weir to Rochford. The Stacks welcomed back, Fly half Liam O'Connor, Full back Steve Hassan, No.8 Nick Edwards from Injury and wing Jason Carter.
The Stacks started at a very good pace with some driving runs through the forwards, it was within the space of 10 mins when The Stacks opened up the scoring with a well worked move. From a Line out and short catch and drive, Scrum half Gary Desmond (Merlin) fed through to Liam O'Connor and the back line made a move to the Rochford 22. The Stacks forwards led by Skipper Horton and 2nd Row Russell (The Dark Lord Skinner) Wright followed up to secure the ball and No. 8 Nick Edwards carried towards the 5 metre line before slipping a pass to Liam O'Connor, Liam had time to beat a defender before off loading to Gary in support, who went in to score. With the conversion missed it was 0 - 5 to Canvey.
If the Stacks thought this was going to be the start of things to come, they were very much mistaken, because they spent the rest of the 1st half making mistake after mistake and playing into the hands of the big but not very mobile Rochford forwards. There were further opportunities for scores but on at least 2 occasions, white line fever kicked in with glaring overlaps on offer. Tut, tut, tut.
From an infringement on the 22, Rochford were able to secure 3 points from a penalty. From another promising Stacks move that broke down, Canvey were to lose fly half Liam O'Connor to the reoccurring ankle injury. After some shuffling around, Alfie Webster went to fly half and Scott Wheeler came into the second Row, with Simon Rose moving into the centre.
Rochford scored a push over try from a scrum and led the Stacks 8 - 5 and this was followed by a penalty to take Rochford in at half time 11 - 5.
Skipper Horton, shook is head and could not understand how the Stacks were doing their utmost to lose the game, some choice words were spoken as well as strong advise from Jason and the second half started with a better attitude with the ball being played out to the backs.
With the impressive young Props Luke Lanza and Stavos starting to get a grip on the much bigger, older and uglier Rochford forwards, the Stacks base to attack was starting to gel. After a few moves had broke down due to knock on's and mistakes, Jason Carter came into the centre. Centre John "Sparky" Mailes switched to fly half and the Stacks picked up with some good strong runs. One move resulted in a try, which was judged to be forward by the ref and with 15 to go the Stacks were starting to see a defeat.
A quick break from Sparky put Jason through who set up the forwards, Aaron Sultana, picked and drove with the rest of the pack to the Rochford line, quick ball from the base, saw Hooker Joe Symons go over the line, Fullback Steve Hassan converted to take the Stacks in front. 11 - 12.
With about 2 mins to go a scrum on the Rochford 10 metre line produced a Stacks move that stuck. Going left Nick Edwards picked and passed to Gary, Gary played to Sparky, who flicked to Jason Carter, Jason drew the player and passed to Alfie who nearly fumbled but held on to put Steve Hassan in the corner, strewth!!

Final Score Rochford 11 - Stacks 17.

Skipper Hortons final comments were: f**k , that was to close for comfort, no more like that fella's, we need to be more clinical and we have to make use of the overlaps. However a good strong finish produced a deserved win.