Rochford U15 vs. Chelmsford, Essex League 1, 6 March 2011

Having played each other in a very close game, decided by a single point, in the Essex Cup Quarter Final only a few weeks before, this game was likely to be equally tight. Both teams like Westcliff were unbeaten in the League, all aiming for top spot.
Chelmsford attacked quickly from the kick off, coming close to scoring on several occasions, but Rochford defended strongly, before slowly turning the tables and putting Chelmsford under some consistent pressure. Like Chelmsford, Rochford were close several times, but were caught flat footed, when Chelmsford broke quickly, a player running from deep in his own half to score Rochford 0 – Chelmsford 7. Keen not to let Chelmsford build a lead, Rochford hit back from the restart, Hayden Smith scoring in the corner, from good forward work Rochford 5 – Chelmsford 7. More determined defending from Rochford, ending with a missed Chelmsford penalty, saw Rochford make the most of their own penalty, taking a quick touch penalty Clark Pickering ran from his own half and when tackled, managed to pass the ball to Mitchell Bennett to score, Josh Lipscombe converting Rochford 12 – Chelmsford 5. The only other score in the first half was a penalty try for Rochford, having conceded a penalty of their 22 yard line, one or two players continued dissent saw them walk back until a try was awarded. The half time whistle came a minute or two later giving the players time to clear their heads Rochford 17 – Chelmsford 7.

Chelmsford returned for the second half and put Rochford under a period of sustained pressure, somehow Rochford held firm, until Mitchell intercepted a Chelmsford pass inside his own 22 yard line and sprinted down the pitch, determined not to let him score a Chelmsford player tackled him about ten yards short, Mitchell knocking on. Having started well the Rochford forwards seemed to improve as the game progressed and started making things even more difficult for the Chelmsford defence, turning over scrums and winning most of the line-outs. From one of these turn-over scrums Musa Yussuff scored out wide Rochford 24 – Chelmsford 7, James Spicer also came close but had made a double movement in grounding the ball. Josh later scored from a penalty Rochford 27 – Chelmsford 7, and close to the end of the game having prevented Rochford scoring, more dissent saw Chelmsford’s 5 yard scrum, turned into a Rochford penalty , then penalty try, the game ending Rochford 35 – Chelmsford 7.

The penalty trys made the Rochford win more comfortable, but with Rochford’s dominance increasing throughout the game, they were the better side overall and deserving of the win.