Rochford U11s vs. South Woodham Ferrers, 25th October 2009

Immediately the boys moved the ball around and there was a few breakaways that Woodham did well to defend. Matt Dobson, playing fly half this week, took the first score from a successful scrum in the Woodham half. Matt converted his own try, showing we also have a few able kickers to choose from. Last week the ref didn’t allow kicking, no problem this week and Rochford put the boot to good use, until over cooking the ball bringing the scrum all the way back into the Rochford half. However, Michael soon changed that, flying down the wing, just being forced into touch, after almost getting over the try line. With the territory advantage in our favour Matt Fitz-Patrick scored the second try following on from another good passage of play. Matt Dobson converted this try as well, putting us firmly in control. Continuing his strong play Matt Dobson got his second try, which he also converted, again from a strong scrum. Woodham came back at Rochford and looked like they would get over but a great clearance kick from Daniel put us out of danger. Not for long though as there was a huge maul, that Woodham were winning. After sustained pressure they grounded the ball, a good foot short of the line, but the ref suffering from a sense of fair play allowed the try. Not to worry we were well ahead...weren’t we???

Into the second half and Matt Fitz-Patrick scored from the kick off, after a great chase of the ball. Matt Dobson then converted his fourth in a row. As the pitch has a slight slope, Woodham were now running down hill. Unfortunately it has to be said so did the Rochford play. We seemed to go to sleep and Woodham scored three quick tries solely down to sloppy tackling and the dreaded looking at the ball, without competing or driving Woodham off the ball. To be fair, Emily, the only Woodham girl, took some stopping as she makes Stefan look small.

Rochford finally woke up to the fact they could lose the match and began applying the pressure. Jake produced another good clearance kick which forced the scrum following a Woodham knock on. Our boys demolished them, and we looked like we had another score in us. However, we ran out of time, as our fine ref blew time. Well done Stuart, for taking the flack admirably, especially from the scribe.

Sometimes it is easy to forget the boys in the scrum, who don’t always score the tries. However, there were a lot of scrums in the match and it has to be said; Jamie, Owen, Lewis, Tom Finch, Stefan and Callum all performed admirably.

Remember, if it wasn’t for these boys, Rochford wouldn’t have been able to score at least two of the tries.