Rochford Rams 12 - East London II's 14

The game was played in good spirit from the off, both sides missing chances equally. For most of the half neither side took initiative to forge ahead. Rochford had the best chances but failed to capitalise on these opportunities. Some missed touches from penalty kicks gave the E.L. side the life line to clear the ball out of their 22. Close to the end of the first half an exchange in positions for Chris Morgan (fly-half) and Kev Hughes (outside centre) bore fruit. A good move in the forwards saw the ball being delivered out to the backs. A good carry by Kev H. opened up a gap in the opponents line, once through he offloaded a nice pass to Chris Morgan who using his pace and some good running lines put the ball over the try line. Chris then converted his own try.
Rochford 7 East London 0 at half time.
The second half was pretty much the same, though E.L. were in the driving seat. Rochford could not get out of their 22 and soon the E.L team were over the Rochford line fortunately for the home side the ball carrier got a little carried away and greedy and dropped the ball behind the Rochford posts.
After this, the home team still could not get into the opposition half and when a scrum was awarded to E.L. on the Rochford 5 meter line everybody prepared to defend and defend they did. The ball came out to their backs and with some good lines and upper body strength the inside crossed the line to score only the intervention of Ollie B. and Mike O who combined to get their bodies under the man and ball another try saved. The pressure came from E.L. and soon they got what they deserved, a well worked try and the subsequent conversion, 7 - 7.
Rochford now had everything to play for. Play went back and fourth and with both sides playing some good rugby. After a while Rochford struck, the ball eventually making it's way out to young Adam Davis-Collins who scored his first try for the club far out wide to the left of the uprights. Chris Morgan gave it his best but the ball shaved the post and the extra points were gone.
East London fought back and mounted several attacks. Some excellent tackles from the home side and especially Ollie Bedford kept them at bay. The pressure took its toll on the home team and soon the the E.L. team were awarded the try and also took the conversion points. With minutes ticking by E.L. were 14-12 in the lead.
A last ditch effort by the entire Rochford team brought a penalty within meters of the E.L. line. The ball was played out by Robin Pep to Sharky Harbrow who using all his strength managed to get over the line. Excellent defence work be E.L. kept him from grounding the ball, then with the majority of the Rochford forwards pushing Sharky forward he was again over the line but the ball still could not be grounded. The ref blew his whistle for a scrum and this was followed immediately by the final whistle much to the joy of the opposition.
Final score Rochford 12 East London 14.

Big WELL DONE to Adam for his try, to Chris M. for his try and conversion.
My M.O.M. goes without saying to OLLIE BEDFORD. Ollie again saved many tries with his never ending amount of tackles. Well done Ollie!
The Bear was awarded to young Adam, this could have gone to Davis-Collins Snr AGAIN for his non-compliance with shower room etiquette!!???
The match report was taken from an abridged version created by the UBIQUITOUS Don Faulkner who while not actually playing, could have been given the M.O.M, The Match Ball and every other accolade associated with the game ......... IF he had only played!!???

Mike O