No Uphill Struggle

There were 24 boys who made their way to Wanstead for their final preparation match before the important league clash with table topping Saffron Walden. The weather was warm, the pitch a little boggy in places and then there was the slope in the pitch which would make it much harder for the team defending that end.

The front row started with Jack Stickings at tight-head prop, Joe Mitchell at hooker and Elliott Parsell at loose-head. Jack Cahill and Jack Murphy continued their second row partnership, and Reece Garstin started at openside flanker with Henry Willis at blindside and Chris Hastings 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 Aaron Cocks and Callum Blackman on the wings. Corey Lazell completed the side at full-back.

Rochford won the toss and decided to play down the slope in the first half. From the kick off it was clear that they had taken Gareth’s advice and they were determined to pin Wanstead in the left corner of their own twenty-two. The boys were far more dynamic, with the forwards getting to the rucks faster and the scrum half distributing the ball quicker. Constant pressure on the Wanstead line eventually saw Rochford break the deadlock with a trademark run from Jack Stickings. Callum Stanley successfully converted. From the restart Rochford pushed again and this time it was good support at the breakdown that saw Chris Hastings collect a pop pass at speed, break the last tackle and touchdown under the posts. Again Callum Stanley was faultless with the kick.

Gareth was proved right as Wanstead found it increasingly difficult, running up the slope, to get out of their own half. When they did make ground some great tactical kicking from Tom Harris put them back in the corner again. Rochford attacks came in wave after wave and a run from full back, at speed, by Corey Lazell saw him break the defensive line and add a third try to the scoreboard. Callum Stanley made it three out of three.

Again Rochford attacked, winning rucks and recycling the ball well. Despite the size of some of the Wanstead players, the Rochford pack was holding its own in the scrum. Pressing forward again, Ethan Hepton and Joseph Cottam made good ground before the ball made its way out to the left wing where Aaron Cocks took the pass at speed and left the Wanstead full back grasping at air to score the fourth and final try of the half.

Half-time – Wanstead 0 Rochford 26

With nine substitutions it would be easier to say who stayed on but there was a reshuffle in the pack too. The second half started with James Mowle coming in at loose head and Chris Martin replacing Joe Mitchell at Hooker. Chris Hastings moved to the second row replacing Jack Cahill, Louis Dawkins and Reiss Sellwood came on as flankers and Reece Garstin switched to number 8. In the backs Liam Baker came on at scrum half, Rob Sheldrake at fly half, Louis Croll and James Berry came on at inside and outside centre and Connor Jones at right wing. Callum Blackman switched to full back to replace Corey Lazell.

So how would Rochford deal with defending the bottom end of a pitch that sloped down from half-way? Clearly they decided the best way was to play the game in the Wanstead half. The first half had clearly taken its toll on the Wanstead players and with Rochford having so many fresh legs on the pitch it looked like more of the same. The pressure grew as Rochford probed the Wanstead line to find a way through. Another sweeping attack saw the ball make its way out to the right where Callum Stanley backed himself against the Wanstead defenders, put his foot down, and slid in the score in the corner. Unfortunately, he took a stray stud to the knee and was unable to continue and was replaced by Aaron Cocks.

From the restart the onslaught continued. James Mowle made a burst through the line to make valuable yards, a pick and go from Liam Baker saw him move the play upfield with support from James Berry and Louis Croll. Eventually it was another burst through the centre by Chris Hastings that saw him get his second of the match. Liam Baker took the conversion and slotted it over. Gareth then freshened things up again by bringing Elliott Parsell back on for Jack Stickings.

With Rochford turning over at a ruck following a Wanstead scrum the ball made its way to Connor Jones on the right, Chris Martin picked up from the ruck and broke on the blindside making valuable yards into the Wanstead half. The ball from the ruck was passed down the line to Chris Hastings who, while being tackled, provided a perfect pass to Elliott Parsell on his inside who stormed through the gap to score Rochford’s seventh try under the posts. Liam Baker made no mistake with the conversion despite shouts from a Wanstead player. The referee awarded a penalty restart to Rochford for ungentlemanly conduct and the team attached again. Unfortunately there was insufficient time to allow they boys to score again.

Full time – Wanstead 0 Rochford 45

This was another improvement from the boys who played as a more effective unit. This impressive, dominant win puts them in a great position to take on table topping Saffron Walden in the league next week. With league rules restricting player numbers, and the squad having two players for each position, it’s important that the boys maintain momentum and make sure they work hard in training on Wednesday.

Callum Stanley and Liam Baker were jointly chosen as Man of the Match as they had both been pivotal in dictating play from scrum half and ensuring the team played with the right structure.

Tries
Jack Stickings
Chris Hastings 2
Corey Lazel
Aaron Cocks
Callum Stanley
Elliott Parsell

Conversions
Callum Stanley 3
Liam Baker 2

1, Elliott Parsell; 2, Joe Mitchell; 3, Jack Stickings; 4, Jack Cahill; 5, Jack Murphy; 6, Henry Willis; 7, Reece Garstin; 8, Chris Hastings; 9, Callum Stanley; 10, Tom Harris; 11, Aaron Cocks; 12, Ethan Hepton; 13, Joseph Cottam; 14, Callum Blackman; 15, Corey Lazell; 16, Rob Sheldrake; 17, Connor Jones; 18, James Berry; 19, James Mowle; 20, Louis Dawkins; 21, Chris Martin; 22, Louis Croll; 23, Reiss Sellwood; 24, Liam Baker