First game of the season !

Last weeks game against Southend was a brilliant game.
The game was fast and physical with both sides playing some good rugby but both sides also dropping the ball, knocking on or kicking at the wrong time.
The first half saw Rochford wing Steve Lane leave the field with an injury to his ankle. During this half Rochford scored two tries, both of which Dave Isaacs converted and he was unfortunate to miss a penalty before the end of the half which ended at 14-10.
Second half was as fierce as first with injuries to John Archer with a cut to the bridge of the nose. Dave Isaacs with a badly bruised big toe, Sharky Harbrow with an injured shoulder and the wing with a injured ankle.
It was late in the second half when the 'game clock' seemed to take on a life of its own. When "17 mins left" Rochford were still hanging on for dear life repelling all attacks with some fantastic defense work from forwards and excellent tackling from backs. 10 mins later with Southend camped within the Rochford 5 meter line. With the 'Game Clock' at "4 mins" the attack was halted and with the ball now well into the Southend half Mike O'Connor finally got on the pitch after an 18 month lay off. Thinking they had it the bag Rochford estimated they had 2-3 mins left of normal time. Southend then pulled their master stroke, two Southend players appeared and (having only just retired from 2nd team rugby) came onto the field. Very shortly afterwards one of them scored. It was now 15-14 still to play for. The "4" mins seemed to last another 10; in which time Southend scored a late converted try followed immediately by the final whistle!!!.
However, Rochford as a whole played as a team and kept going until the final whistle. Three players of special mention as each played valiantly through their injuries and carrying on to the end, Tubby Isaacs, Sharky and John Archer.
Mike O'Connor gave the Man of the Match to Johnny Archer !