Another Close Match

Rochford started well with Jack H scoring in the corner and Ben C slotting the conversion. However, the home side quickly found their rhythm and their lines, running strongly and passing cleanly resulted in an answering try and conversion. South Woodham maintained pressure, consistently running hard, passing well. Only some great tackles from Nathan R and Jack H and a heroic try-saving tackle from Ryley followed by a team effort resulting in the ball being held up prevented the home side from scoring several times. Rochford were unable to keep position and possession consistently, and although they tried to maintain their defence and managed to turn the ball over just in front of their own line, it was not enough to prevent South Woodham from scoring another try before the half time whistle.

Again, Rochford started strongly in the second half. Billy-Joe was immense, driving hard and often taking several of the opposition to bring him down. His efforts were rewarded by a try that Ben C converted, meaning that the visitors took the lead. Although the Rochford scrum was immense, winning ball against the head on a couple of occasions, the team lacked consistency in both their attacking and defensive lines. The ball was ripped and rucked away from the visitors by a South Woodham team that was determined and cohesive. They demonstrated good hands and some superb hard running and with a few too many missed tackles from Rochford, the home side scored down the wing, running in three tries without reply, one of which was successfully converted.

Last season, in a similar situation, the Rochford lads would probably have been despondent and allowed the opposition to over-run them. However, it is to their immense credit that they dug deep and fired each other up to fight back. The final ten minutes or so provided some of the best rugby of the season to date. Rochford started to build pressure with Billy-Joe driving through the mid-field like a man possessed. Sam G and Sam W were consistent in their support and getting straight into the rucks as was Kane, keeping the pack focussed and engaged. Always present and at times, seeming to be everywhere on the pitch, Jack H spotted an opportunity and floated a superb kick forward which Ben C ran onto, catching cleanly and finishing under the posts. The successful conversion that followed meant that the visitors were 8 points behind, but they weren’t finished. With a passion that was wonderful to see, Rochford continued to press hard, trying to find another breakthrough. Eventually, it was Billy-Joe again who managed to find a way over the line for his second try of the game. With three minutes to go, the Rochford lads were raring to go, with South Woodham equally determined. Rochford received and immediately applied pressure, forcing South Woodham into their own half. Despite valiant defence from the home side, Rochford maintained the pressure. The last play of the game arrived and the teams found themselves in a final ruck on far side of the pitch. The obvious play was to pass right and wide, but some quick thinking and communication between Olly H and Jack H noticing a one on one resulted in a quick pass left which Jack H ran onto and thundered over the line to score in the final seconds of the match.

This was one of those matches where it was actually a shame that there had to be a losing side following such a tremendous game of rugby. The 30 players on the pitch as well as the various substitutes, showed skill, determination, courage and sportsmanship and they should be very proud of themselves. From a Rochford perspective, it was immensely rewarding to see the lads keep their heads up and their hearts fighting until the end. Yes, there are lessons to be learned from today’s match, but the teamwork, spirit, courage and determination displayed today are among the more nebulous elements of the game and today, those elements made all the difference.

Final Score: South Woodham Ferrers 29 – 31 Rochford Hundred

Rochford: Tries – Billy-Joe (2), Ben C, Jack H (2), Conversions Ben C (3)