Crossing the Border

Our return to league action saw the boys make the long trip to Suffolk to play last season’s Division 3 winners Ipswich. We knew they would be well drilled from our last encounter in which we failed to turn our possession into points.

With the league limiting the number of players we could take to matches, Gareth had a hard task making sure that we had our strongest team available with the right subs to allow for cover in all positions. The boys have been working really hard in training over the last few weeks and improving greatly, so this has become a really tough call.

The front row started with Jack Stickings at tight-head prop, Jacob Lipscombe at hooker and James Mowle at loose-head. Jack Cahill and Jack Murphy continued their second row partnership, Reece Garstin continued at openside flanker with Henry Willis starting his first full match at blindside and Corey Lazell at number 8. Rob Sheldrake making his debut at scrum-half, Tom Harris at fly-half, Ethan Hepton and Louis Croll at inside and outside centre with Aaron Cocks and Louie Dawkins on the wings. Callum Blackman completed the side at full-back.

Both sides began well, probing for weak spots in the others defence with neither side giving ground. Despite the size of the Ipswich pack Rochford were impressive in the scrum, more than holding their own. Eventually it was Ipswich that opened the scoring with a well worked try that they failed to convert. It was important now that Rochford responded and that they did, pushing Ipswich back towards their own line where the quick thinking Jacob Lipscombe ducked under one of the largest of the Ipswich players to force the ball over the line to level.

Half-time - Ipswich 5 Rochford 5

The second half started with some serious restructuring with Harrison McKenna replacing James Mowle, Daniel Harvey coming on for Jack Cahill (which saw Reece Garstin move to the second row) Liam Baker came on at full-back and which saw Callum Blackman replace Louis Dawkins on the wing, and Callum Stanley came on at scrum-half for Rob Sheldrake.

It was Rochford who started the second half the brightest and before long Aaron Cocks had put the team in front for the first time with a typical run and score for his first of the season. Before long Ipswich were back level with another five points and then ahead again as they ran in another try which they successfully converted.

With a seven point deficit to overturn it would have been easy for the boys to let their heads drop but they came out fighting and before long Reece Garstin had forced himself over the line to reduce the Ipswich lead to two points. Up stepped Callum Stanley to put the conversion between the posts and level the scores. As the clock ticked down Rochford went on the attack again, recycling the ball well and using space effectively. The ball made its way to Jack Stickings who has been almost unstoppable this season and was so again. Another powerful run saw him touch down in the corner to complete the scoring and give Rochford the points.

Full time –Ipswich 17 Rochford 22

This was great performance from the boys, coming from behind twice to take the points against a big Ipswich side who are always well drilled and disciplined.

Jack Stickings was selected as Man of the Match for a barn-storming game and a well taken and well deserved match winning try.

Tries
Jacob Lipscombe
Aaron Cocks
Reece Garstin
Jack Stickings

Conversions
Callum Stanley

1, James Mowle; 2, Jacob Lipscombe; 3, Jack Stickings; 4, Jack Cahill; 5, Jack Murphy; 6, Henry Willis; 7, Reece Garstin; 8; Corey Lazell; 9, Rob Sheldrake; 10, Tom Harris; 11, Aaron Cocks; 12, Ethan Hepton; 13, Louis Croll; 14, Louis Dawkins; 15, Callum Blackman; 16, Daniel Harvey; 17,Harrison McKenna ; 18, Callum Stanley; 19, Liam Baker