After a number of issues with player numbers and the welcome inclusion of Ben Parsons and Joel Parker from the Under 17s it was a welcome return to action for the team and the even more welcome return of some old faces. Unfortunately a knock in training mean that Louis Croll was unavailable.

With a breakdown of the vehicular type on the way to the match Epping were reduced to 11 players but with Sean Honey and James Mowle pulling on the red and white they made it 14 players against 13 in Rochford’s favour.

The front row started with Daniel House at tight-head prop, Joe Mitchell at hooker and Chris Martin at loose-head. Ben Parsons and Jack Cahill started in the second row, Reece Garstin started at openside flanker with Daniel Harvey at blindside and Austen King at number 8. Liam Baker began at scrum-half, Tom Harris at fly-half, Reiss Sellwood at inside centre and Aaron Cocks at outside centre with Joel Parker and James Berry on the wings.

With Epping playing a number of their own forwards and the Rochford boys in the backs, it was vital that Rochford made the most of the space out wide and the speed of the backs rather than try and batter through the middle. And that’s what they did. With about 10 minutes of pressure easing into the Epping half the play moved right and then quickly left where Ben Parsons made a break and popped a pass to Chris Martin who handed off the last defender to open the scoring for the hosts.

The kicking game began to be used to good effect with the Rochford backs and in particular Aaron Cocks turning the defenders and beating them for pace with the chip through. The game began to see-saw but it was Rochford who managed to make the pressure tell and the score began to increase. Epping made good ground on a number of occasions but their numerical disadvantage made it very difficult to make the pressure tell.

The second half saw Jack Cahill and Chris Martin switch to play for Epping and James Mowle moving to loose head and Sean Honey in the second row.
The second half started as the first ended with both sides making ground and pressing the line but with Rochford using their speed and width to their advantage to score regularly. Epping never gave up and almost scored a number of times, including through Chris Martin and Jack Cahill but the Rochford defence stood firm.

Full time –Rochford 84 Epping 0

It was important that the boys moved on from the issues that had seen numbers drop over the last few weeks, it was great to see them play with such enthusiasm. Credit also must go to Epping for battling for the full 70 minutes a player short and others out of position.

Ben Parsons was chosen as Man of the Match for his leadership and hard work throughout the game.

Tries
Chris Martin
Aaron Cocks 6
Liam Baker 3
Daniel House
Joel Parker
Tom Harris
James Mowle

Conversions
Tom Harris 7

1, Chris Martin; 2, Joe Mitchell; 3, Daniel House; 4, Ben Parsons; 5, Jack Cahill; 6, Reece Garstin; 7, Daniel Harvey; 8, Austin King; 9, Liam Baker; 10, Tom Harris; 11, Reiss Sellwood; 12, James Berry; 13, Aaron Cocks; 14, Joel Parker; 15, Sean Honey; 16, James Mowle

Rochford Hundred Rugby Club

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