Find a comfortable seat and make a cuppa for this one !

Let's get right Rochford kicked off via the metronomic boot of Dave 'Tubby' Isaacs, from the off the Rams had their peckers up and tackled everything, smashed and bashed through the opening minutes. It was apparent from the whistle that the Rams forwards were going to be the dominant force. The first penalty however was awarded to Ilford in the Rams half of the pitch. The ball played down the field found its way to a very fast wing, he did well to evade numerous tackles and to lose his opposite number Lee Wiseman, the guy was getting tunnel vision with sight of the Rams try line looming. The advancing wing was halted abruptly by a crashing, bone crunching tackle made by Nick Austin, who, seeing the play unfold left his wing and raced across pitch to save the try from being scored. In this tackle Nick sustained a blow to the shoulder and ribs, he tried to soldier on but the pain was too great and this was Nicks final play of the game, enter Trev Barton.
The game then went into free fall with neither side making any headway,this continued until the 30th minute of the game. Rochford were in control of all forward play and having a scrum awarded to them 10 meters from the Ilford try line packed down. The power and determination from the whole of the pack was inspirational, the speed of the advance was overwhelming for the Ilford 8, meter after meter the Rams trudged on, the visitors had no answer to the onslaught. Closer and closer, the try line beckoned, 5,4,3,2,1 meter left, the Ilford pack were all but drained, they had no resources left to put into the fray, the inevitable was seconds away. The ball was controlled at the feet of Rams No8 Russ Clarke who could smell the 5 points waiting for him inches away. Ilford did the only they could to avoid the score and brought the advancing scrum down, the ref. had no second thought and awarded the penalty try. 5-0. Tubby scored the extra 2 points without any hesitation, 7-0.
Ilford kicked off and the ball soon found it's way from Rams forwards to backs. The support play from Rochford continued and in the blink of an eye the play was again in the Ilford 22. The clock was ticking down the minutes much to joy of the visitors but the Rams were going to finish the half with a scrum 5 meters out. Dave Prosser fed the ball down the middle of the waiting troops, the push from Rochford was immediate and this rocked Ilford and put them on the back foot. The ball was played through the 2nd row and was then controlled at the feet of Russ Clarke. Encouragement and barking orders from Dave Pross kept the pack in line. Onwards the pack trundled, this time the visitors were not going to spin or pull the scrum down, the front 5 were making sure of that. Ball at foot once again he could see the line nearing. The points were not going to be robbed from him again, with football like skills he manoeuvred the ball as though it was attached to his right foot with invisible thread. The ball was now over the try line and with ease Clarkey dropped onto the ball and his 5 points were in the bag. This was a fantastic 8 man try and with heads dropping the Ilford crew waited for the extra points from Tubby to be added to their woes. Score 14-0, Half time.
The second half got under way with Rochford bringing on the 'Defensive' team .... I mean replacements, in the forms of Dave McDonagh, Gary T, Neil F, Kenton A, Dick G, Robbin P, Jon B, Jason P....Anyhow, the Rams resumed their control of the game and great play from the likes of Kev H and Wally Mac soon had the play well inside the visitors half, a nice boot from Tubby put the ball into touch 5m from the try line. The ball was not thrown in straight and the Rams were given the choice, throw in again or scrum? With fresh legs in the pack the scrum was the easy choice. Now was the time to hit the replay button. Robbin P put in the ball, the pack got the push on, the visitors on the back foot could not hold their ground, the ball controlled at the 8, Dick G. once again inched it's way to the try line. Step by step the pack advanced, Spartan like at Thermoplyae, heads down legs pumping. The Ilford pack were trying but brute force was the order of the day, the ball was over the try line but Dick G did not register the fact, he was probably seeing stars with the effort exerted. The try was picked up by Robbin Pep who being in total control of the forward momentum of the pack. At this point we all know we don't approve of grassing up your team mates, but on this occasion Clarkey was instrument in almost getting the Bear awarded to Dick for his lack of vision and missing the try scoring opportunity. The conversion was missed and the score remained 19-0.
The play was well into the second half now and soon the visitors were all but drained. The game was going into free fall with lots of plays being halted by poor play from Ilford. This started to rattle the home team and a few choice words from various players did not go amiss by the Ref (who up to now had, had a very good game). Play continually broke down for numerous offences and the boys up front were getting hot under the collar. Jurgen could not contain his frustration any longer, but with his retort came a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin to cool off.
Play continued and when Rochford had the ball some impressive moves were put together. Lee Wiseman was the next to get on the score-board, after some great support from forwards and backs the ball landed in Lee's hands, way out on the right wing he ran and jinxed his 30 meters to touch down under the posts, the conversion was easy for Tubby and score moved on to 26-0.
Ilford re-started and the play went back and fourth for the next ten or so minutes. Ilford then put a few good moves together and play settled on the half way line. Ilford took the ball and punted it upfield into the waiting arms of Kev "sidestep" Hughes, Kev held his ground while the advancing Ilford backs followed up their kick, then with a drop of the left shoulder Kev came off his left foot and side stepped to his right, this unfortunately was telegraphed by the Ilford backs (and those sitting at the bar in the club house, kidding Kev) and soon they were all over him. The ball was hacked forward and Ilford saw the only chance they were going to get and capitalised on it. Ilford deserved the try for not giving up and sticking at it. Score 26-5.
The game was now nearing it's end but there was still time for Lee Wiseman to show his skills. Once again with some brilliant ball handling and support play the ball was in Lees hands, this time the defenders were waiting for him. Lee started his run, from way out on the wing he sped diagonally to the posts, sidestep after sidestep, he left players in his wake 2,3,4 players failed to stop him, grasping at thin air. Lee scored his second 5 points in style and put the home team 31-5 in the lead. This was how the game ended.
Ilford gave their best but were soundly beaten on the day. Well done to ALL the Rams players who played out of their socks from the first blast of the whistle. The Man Of The Match could have gone to any one but on this day the forwards came up trumps and so Kev Anderson receives the accolade. Well Done Kev. The Bear was almost Kev H's but Jurgen stole it off him with his aggressive(?) tongue..."What's that for ref?" Jurgen, You should know Ref's don't like being quizzed and especially one who you attended the same training course with !! Again well done the whole team.
Scorers; Tries: Lee 2, Clarke, Robbin. 1 penalty try. Conversions: Tubby 3.
Squad;Austin, Avis, Bedford, Freeman, Issacs, MacAlpine, Stone, Prosser, Reid, Paul, MacDonagh, Bolden, Peppiette, Brown, Gibbons, Trusson, Dickson, Clarke, Anderson, Barton, Harbrow, Brownlee, Grace.