Up For The Cup

All we knew for certain was that the winner would play Westcliff in the next round and that the Chingford pack was huge.

The front row started with Jack Stickings at tight-head prop, Chris Martin 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 Reiss Sellwood at blindside and Corey Lazell at number 8. Callum Stanley began at scrum-half, Tom Harris at fly-half, Ethan Hepton and Joseph Cottam at inside and outside centre with Jacob Wright and Louie Dawkins on the wings. Callum Blackman completed the side at full-back.

Rochford started brightly and began to test the Chingford defence and look for an opening. Having only met in the Essex trials last year, Chingford were an unknown quantity and the boys were keen to use both the power of the forwards and the speed on the backs to open the scoring. In the end it was the forwards that got there first with Corey Lazell making a strong run through the Chingford defence to open the scoring. Callum Stanley slotted over the conversion.

Rochford began to press Chingford in their twenty two and despite winning a scrum in front of their own posts Chingford were panicked by the pressing from Rochford. Only needing to touch the ball down to relieve the pressure and regroup, the Chingford defenders dropped the ball only for Jack Cahill to be the quickest thinker and fall on it to double the Rochford try count. Callum Stanley scored his second conversion of the match.

An unconverted try from Chingford spurned Rochford into action again and a series of phases of play saw them get well into the Chingford half. Winning the put in from a knock on the ball came to Corey Lazell at number 8 who picked up and drove for the line to score his second and Rochford’s third. With half time approaching Rochford went on the attack again, getting the ball wide and using all the space. With the ball making its way out to Louis Dawkins, he sprinted from behind his own 10 metre line to touchdown under the posts for his second try of the season. Callum Stanley added the extra two points.

Half-time - Rochford 26 Chingford 5

The second half started with Callum Stanley replacing Rob Sheldrake at scrum-half and Louis Croll coming on for Ethan Hepton at inside centre. Chingford started the second half much stronger and began to take the battle to Rochford although while they effectively stifled the Rochford attack they failed to really threaten the try line.

Five Minutes into the second Reiss Sellwood, being his usual combative self took a hit to the mouth, which left him without his gum shield and part of a cap on his front tooth. Clearly a bit dazed and short of a spare gum shield he left the pitch to be replaced by Daniel Harvey. Gareth took the chance to bring on some more fresh legs, which saw Jack Cahill replaced in the second row by Harrison McKenna. The game began to be played in a space 20 metres each side of the half way line with tackles flying in from both sides. Unfortunately one such tackle saw Jack Stickings hurt and he was replaced by Jack Cahill with Harrison McKenna switching to the front row.

Rochford went on the attack again, building from their own half and pressing the Chingford line. Receiving the ball at speed Tom Harris broke the line, beat the full-back for pace and touched down to score Rochford’s fifth try. The conversion was coolly slotted over by Joseph Cottam.

On the restart the tackles began flying in again. This was becoming a real battle in the middle of the park with neither side prepared to give ground. Rochford pushed forward into the Chingford half again but the play broke down and in the melee that followed Jack Cahill picked up a knock and was replaced by Jack Stickings. In the forty fourth minute the unlucky Daniel Harvey pulled his hamstring whilst breaking for the line and had to be replaced by Ethan Hepton.

Full time – Rochford 33 Chingford 5

This was a scrappy performance at times but the boys were adventurous going forward and solid in defence which made all the difference.

Rob Sheldrake was selected as Man of the Match for some crunching tackles on much bigger opposition and, driving the team forward.

Tries
Corey Lazell (2)
Jack Cahill
Louis Dawkins
Tom Harris

Conversions
Callum Stanley (3)
Joseph Cottam

1, James Mowle; 2, Chris Martin; 3, Jack Stickings; 4, Jack Cahill; 5, Jack Murphy; 6, Reiss Sellwood; 7, Reece Garstin; 8; Corey Lazell; 9, Callum Stanley; 10, Tom Harris; 11, Jacob Wright; 12, Ethan Hepton; 13, Joseph Cottam; 14, Louis Dawkins; 15, Callum Blackman; 16, Louis Croll; 17,Harrison McKenna; 18, Rob Sheldrake ; 19, Daniel Harvey