Rochford Rams Riot Police !

For the first 30 minutes or so the visiting Rams could not lay a finger on the ball. The home side were moving brilliantly, the line outs were fantastic, the inter play between scrum half, fly half and centres and wings was a joy to watch. The whole team looked as though they had played together for many seasons, the forwards were big and strong, the backs lean, tall and very fast, they looked like they knew each others game like they knew their own family. Rochford certainly had their work cut out for them this afternoon. Anyway, enough of the Chigwell Police warm up, the game was about to start !
Rochford had turned up with yet another 'thrown together last minute team'. Many of the regular Vets were laid up with the dreaded 'lurgy'. Rochford kicked off and played down hill the first half, would this tell in the fitness in the second half ? ...wait and see !
The opening 5-10 minutes was 'all Rams' everybody played well including yet another two "New Rams in waiting" James and Lewis. Quick ball from forwards to the backs and great running from the centres saw the Rams 5 points in front with a further 2 from the boot of Dave Isaacs in the first 8 mins. Police 0 - Rams 7.
Police kicked off and very soon found themselves under the 'cosh' again, this time courtesy of the more powerful Rams forwards. After a few well won scrums and some good line outs the Rams were over the line for try number two this time the ball emerged from the bottom of a very sound push over forward move. The conversion was missed but the Rams were now 12 - 0 in front.
During this stage of the game a little Argy, Bargy crept in, on and off the ball, a little 'rattle' was being thrown out of the proverbial 'pram' here and there. The ref had to have a little chat with both captains and calm the situation down. If the home team could play with shields and batons I think they would have ! The Rams gave as good as they got and confidence was high amongst the visiting team.
The kick off from the Police brought on a little more enthusiasm and they started to put some moves together. A bang to the head and bloodied nose saw the retirement from the pitch of John Davis and was replaced by Mike O. The home team eventually fought their way into the Rams twenty two and with a little 'luck' and some 'iffy' ref decisions managed to score near to the posts, the conversion was good and the half time score showed 7-12 in favour of the visitors.
The Rams pack were solid in every set piece and with every scrum they got stronger and stronger. Giggles ...yes giggles from certain front row players could be heard and though this is not encouraged by the captaincy, was greeted with derision by the back peddling home pack. The anger started to boil over and soon the Police were once again throwing their combined weight around, frustration giving way to the Dark Side. Rochford kept their cool and focused on playing some great rugby. The pack were camped yards away from the home team try line and push after push was repelled by the 'thin blue line' eventually Mike O crashed the ball over the line, this was not seen by the ref and the ball had to be cleared out. The ball was still in Rochford hands, when Dave Isaacs forced his way over the try line for yet another try, this also was not allowed by the ref ! Tempers were flying again, off the ball incidents repeating themselves; Jason Paul, Sharkey and Kev "but, I didn't say a thing !" Anderson were all in the thick of things (well done boy's). The game carried on like this for a while, but Rochford were always in the driving seat. The pack forced their way up to five meters from the try line and the ball was being controlled at the base of the ruck by Gary Trusson. Mike O' running from about 25 meters away and yelling for the ball, took a pop pass from Gary and at Ramming speed (5mph) bulldozed two waiting defenders out of the way to score to the right of the uprights. Dave Isaacs to the tee, no problem, Score 7 - 19.
From the kick off the ball was ferried back up the pitch by Sharkey, Nic B, PVB, Jason P, Kev A and all who could lay their hands on the ball. The forwards were not alone in this game the backs played brilliantly. Richard George at full back, Nick Austin - left wing, who is playing out of his socks, Kev Hughes - right wing / center / full back / fly half etc. is trying ! ...Sorry, is trying to do everything and be everywhere. The game took a twist with some poor decisions going against the Rams and the home team making the most of them. From a quick lineout, the home team ran in an easy try this was converted and the home team started to believe in themselves again, 14 - 19.
Rochford kicked off and played in the Police twenty two for most of the second half. The visitors could have gone further into lead, this was on the back of some very aggressive scrummaging on the home team try line, unfortunately the ball was cleared out and play was carried on in the Rams half. A little more 'Rattle throwing' led to a penalty to the Police, this was taken quickly, though not properly, and the home team ran in another easy try, this was also converted and the score-line now read 21 - 19.
Moral was high amongst the Old Bill and determination was even higher in the Rams ranks. Controlled play by all, simple rugby, closed lips and focus soon had the visitors looming outside the home team twenty two. Play went on and soon pressure from the Rams Power Pack took it's toll on the Police forwards. The game was in it's final minutes when Rochford were awarded a well deserved penalty. Approx thirty meters out Dave Isaacs called for the Tee, placed the ball on it and took up position 4-5 paces behind it. The Police were doing all they could to put him off his shot, moving arms, coughing, you name it they tried it ! Dave has been around too long to be phased by these actions and took a deep breath. As he started his run up, two defenders charged at the ball, waving arms and shouting like raving Banshees. Now we all know this is not allowed during a penalty and the Ref brought it back for another go (Daves first attempt fell just short). While protesting at their actions Dave inched the ball just a little closer, not too much that would be cheating but just enough. Ball back on tee, Dave back behind ball, boot back behind Dave. Boot to ball, Follow through, ball off tee, ball through the air, ball over bar, whistle blown ....GAME OVER ! Score 21 - 22 Rams win !
As was said after the match. Everybody played to the final whistle and played for each other and the privilege of donning a (Mick Read Sponsored) Rochford Rams shirt. My Man of the Match once again could have gone to numerous folk; Des Kerr, outstanding in the forwards. Richard G. James and Lewis (new guys) great running and support play. And too many others to list. However, Nick Austin I think wins it this week. Nick played well today, his confidence is building and building each week. He ran well, chased everything and tackled everything. Well done Nick. Huggy Bear could have gone to a few, lets say "enthusiastic Talkers" I won't name names, you know who you are ! So the candidate for looking after Huggy this week, still goes to a forward though and that person is JASON PAUL. You owe him a beer Kev and Sharkey (oooops ! Anyway, thanks to all who turned up, as I said at the start it was a last minute team and the game was almost called off hours earlier. Cheer PVB for the phoning around also.
Regards Mike O'