Match Report

Scorers - 

Billy Mullen (1 try) 

Ian Hannaway (1 try)

Perry Reeves (2 conversions)

This was a grueling encounter, played in near perfect conditions at Ashwells Road on Saturday.

From the KO it was clear where the strengths and weaknesses of both sides lay: Rochford were able to dominate the line out, but were out scrummaged by the Old Boys pack. The solid foundations for this were produced by the front five of Steve Gorrod, Bob Knapp, Dave Cavanagh, Scott Ingles and Ian Ingles. It was from one of these well worked scrums that number 8 Billy Mullen was able to score the first points of the afternoon for the home side.

Winger Tim Crooms chased a searching kick from full back Paul Jacobson, and pressured the Rochford full back into making a rare mistake that saw him knock on inside his own 5 yard line. At the resulting scrum Billy Mullen picked up and went, avoiding the attentions of the Rochford back row for one of his trademark tries. With fly half Perry Reeves converting, the Old Boys, as usual, took their feet of the collective pedal.

The Old Boys were penalized soon after under their own posts.  Rochford, to their credit and the home side’s surprise, ran the ball in using a well-worked move involving most of their back row. The conversion was good and the score tied. This was how it remained going into half time following resolute defense from both teams.

From the start of the second half the Old Boys found their second wind, and were soon enjoying some of their best ball retention of the season so far. Great work from flankers Paddy Bache and Johnny Davies ensured very little possession was turned over, and scrum half Phil Towers was able to set up excellent attacks with third and fourth phase ball. Rochford defended well, but the home side’s confidence was growing.

Following another sturdy Old Boys scrum, Reeves was able to release inside center Mickey Bristow who committed the two opposition centers well, before passing deftly to Ian Hannaway, who spun the ball out wide to winger Matt Istead. Some more good interplay saw Ian Hannaway score in the corner. Reeves then converted to add what turned out to be a crucial two points.

Rochford quickly came back again, scoring a good try following a momentary lapse in concentration by the Old Boys three-quarters, but much to the relief of the home side the Rochford fly half was unable to convert.

The Old Brentwoods then spent the next ten minutes inside their own 22”, soaking up wave after wave of Rochfords attack. In seasons past the home side would have capitulated under this pressure, but this particular afternoon they showed brilliant commitment, with out standing tackling and superb restraint.

It was with an almost audible sigh of relief that the full time whistle sounded, and the Old Boys had ground out yet another W.

Team

Prop -Steve Gorrod
Hooker -Dave Cavanagh
Prop -Bob Knapp
Lock -Ian Ingles
Lock -Scott Ingles
Flanker -Johnny Davies
Flanker -Paddy Bache
No 8 -Billy Mullen 

Scrum Half -Phil Towers
Fly Half -Perry Reeves
Centre -Mickey Bristow
Centre -Ian Hannaway
Wing -Tim Crooms
Wing -Matt Istead
Full Back -Paul Jacobson.

Subs -