A Must Win Game

With the Division incredibly tight, Rochford went into their last away game needing to secure the points to create some breathing space between them and the bottom two. With the leagues also likely to undergo a bit of reorganisation in the summer, the boys needed to secure a mid-table slot to avoid the possibility of being dragged into any changes at the bottom.

With numbers restricted by league rules Gareth selected twenty one for the trip but even before the ink was dry on the team sheet he lost Henry Willis from the squad and so called up Reiss Sellwood as a direct replacement.

The front row started with Jack Stickings at tight-head prop, Joe Mitchell at hooker and Elliott Parsell at loose-head. Jack Murphy and Jack Cahill started in the second row, Louis Dawkins started at openside flanker with Daniel House at blindside and Reece Garstin at number 8. Callum Stanley began at scrum-half, Tom Harris at fly-half, Ethan Hepton started at inside centre and Joseph Cottam at outside centre with Aaron Cocks and Jacob Wright on the wings. Corey Lazell completed the side at full-back.

The boys had been working on their defence in training and this had shown real benefits in their last two victories. Basildon are always a physically big and powerful side so the team would require a solid defence to ensure they could make the most of their attacking flair.

As so it proved with the Rochford defence working hard and making it difficult for Basildon to gain any ground. With the ball being recycled well and spread wide it was the Rochford wingers that found the space to stretch their legs. Jacob Wright, made a burst down the right wing to touch down in the corner and open Rochford’s account, scoring his fourth try in as many matches. Just to make Callum Stanley’s kicking job even more difficult, Aaron Cocks got in on the act and within a few minutes of the restart had doubled the lead with a trademark pacey run down the left and scored in the other corner.

Before Basildon could regroup, Rochford went on the attack again and Aaron Cocks doubled his tally and kept the score ticking over in the right direction. This time, despite a tight angle, a strong breeze and the rain, Callum Stanley secured the extra two points. With half-time approaching Rochford were keen to keep the intensity and not give Basildon time to relax and put together some phases of play. With the ball secured Jack Stickings provided another of his trademark runs which saw him score Rochford’s fourth try of the half which Callum Stanley successfully converted.

Half-time – Basildon 0 Rochford 24

The second half started with three changes. Callum Blackman replaced Aaron Cocks, Christopher Hastings came on at outside centre and Reiss Sellwood replaced Louis Dawkins at flanker.

With the conditions worsening the second half could have descended into a mud bath but Rochford continued to play quality rugby. A thundering run from Chris Hastings broke the Basildon line again for him to open the scoring for this half with his third try in five matches since re-joining the team. Callum Stanley added the extra two points to stretch the Rochford lead further. Further changes followed with James Mowle replacing Elliott Parsell in the front row and Daniel Harvey swapping with Daniel House at flanker.

Basildon weren’t finished and battled back to break their duck and score a converted try. Gareth kept the changes coming with Joseph Cottam replacing Ethan Hepton in the centre and Elliott Parsell replacing Jack Cahill in the second row. Basildon’s try spurred Rochford on and a 50 metre run from Jack Murphy could have put them further ahead. One more hand off and he would have been in under the posts but the defence just managed to stop him getting the try his hard work deserved.

Reece Garstin took a well-deserved rest as he was replaced at flanker by Louis Dawkins and as the weather took hold both teams found it hard to make ground. James Mowle found himself at the bottom of a ruck and fearing a broken hand (which fortunately was just heavy bruising) was taken off with Elliott Parsell switching to back to prop and Jack Cahill returning to the second row.

Full time – Basildon 7 Rochford 31

It was important that the boys secured the points to keep clear of the scrap at the bottom of the table and they did so by continuing the run that has now seen them win their last three games. It is vital that they keep their concentration and application for the next month to end the season on a high and well clear of the danger zone.

Ethan Hepton was chosen as Man of the Match for his hard work and drive at inside centre.

Tries
Jacob Wright
Aaron Cocks 2
Jack Stickings
Christopher Hastings

Conversions
Callum Stanley 3

1, Elliott Parsell; 2, Joe Mitchell; 3, Jack Stickings; 4, Jack Murphy; 5, Jack Cahill; 6, Daniel House; 7, Reece Garstin; 8, Louis Dawkins; 9, Callum Stanley; 10, Tom Harris; 11, Aaron Cocks; 12, Ethan Hepton; 13, Joseph Cottam; 14, Jacob Wright; 15, Corey Lazell; 16, Daniel Harvey; 17, Chris Hastings; 18, Callum Blackman ; 19, Callum Blackman; 20, James Mowle; 21, Reiss Sellwood