Ipswich 5 Rochford Hundred 59

Ipswich were at full strength again as they faced a very strong Rochford Hundred squad who are already shaping up to be the stand out outfit in the division this season. Impressive Essex based Rochford won comfortably 5-59 with their third successive bonus point win, but to their credit Ipswich showed great spirit and no mean passion to maintain strong commitment in defence to the end they and even scored the final try in an uncompromising match.

Rochford were strong and controlled in all phases and scored after only 2 minutes from a driving maul after securing a lineout deep in the Ipswich 22, Adam Ferrier touched down and Tom Ashton converted to add 2 points. With secure possession from scrum and lineout Rochford continued to press Ipswich, yielding two scores in quick succession with a centre break converted by lock Carl Rind and a try wide right by Whatling, with one of these converted Rochford were 19 up after only 11 minutes played. Rochford attacked again but Ipswich defended resolutely with Carlton Littlechild marshalling defence well to hold the Rochford attackers at bay. Ipswich drove forward into the Rochford 22 and held Rochford at bay for period but in the end they conceded ball too easily to allow Rochford to break forward to gain a scrum in the Ipswich 22 and with secure possession full back Billings scored Rochford’s 4th try on 30 minutes. Ipswich drove back again deep into the Rochford half and threatened the line for a while before possession was lost and Rochford broke away with a blind side break Billings sprinted wide right and had a clear run to the posts in goal. When Ashton converted Rochford were leading by 31 points as half time came.

As the teams turned round Ipswich attacked early on deep in the Rochford half but when the visitors secured the ball they broke quickly and decisively to gain a scrum in the Ipswich 22. With secure possession Rochford’s Pickering scored close in to simplify the conversion on 47 minutes. Rochford scored again through David Rubai on 50 minutes and through Stewart on 55 minutes and with one of these tries converted the score was 0-55. However, this was a tough match and Ipswich to their credit fought on and attacked strongly through Adam Pickering and Christophe Blom deep into the Rochford 22 with an unfortunate Ipswich knock on at the end relieving the pressure on Rochford. Ipswich drove on again with 8-9 phases of great play retaining possession and pushing the visitors back. However, Rochford pressed Ipswich back again and when Ipswich exposed too much of their ball at a ruck Rochford prop and man of the match Craig Strachan picked up the loose ball and sprinted clear to score another a final Rochford try on 76 minutes. Ipswich drove back at Rochford immediately and their commitment and passion paid off with a well-deserved try on 78 minutes posted by Gwyn Church. The final score was Ipswich 5 Rochford Hundred 59 with Ipswich taking some real credit in a hard-fought match against a very good side.

Ipswich Captain Adam Pickering felt reasonably positive despite the score noting that, “this was another spirited performance from us, we are clearly disappointed with the result, but all credit to Rochford who were very strong and well organised and are already set up to move on to the next level.” Nick Greenhall the coach was more analytical. “One stat we track is first versus second half performance and we were clearly better in the second, our focus was better, our passion was higher and although we lost to a side who were technically and physically stronger we can take away some real positives from the way in which we finished.”