Brentwood 18 - 3 Rochford
Saturday 30th January 2010

Back in October Brentwood beat Rochford in a thrilling away fixture 32 - 34, and so the large crowd were looking for a double victory and much needed league points. Steve Killington brought in extra strength to the pack with Aston Bevans-Royston, Josh Woodcock and Jed Roman in the starting eight. Emil Solomans, back from his native South Africa returned at full back.

Brentwood kicked off downfield in sunny but freezing conditions with a semi-frozen pitch with very muddy patches. Following a mazy run by full-back Solomans, Brentwood exerted an initial opening spell of pressure. Two penalty kicks went wide from winger James Cowen before the home side scored their first try. Started by a charge into Rochfords 22 by prop Aston Bevans-Royston the move was maintained by Solomans before scrum-half Joe Cook secured the try. Cowne missed the conversion.

Another try soon followed through forward power from number eight John Beith and Bevans-Royston. The ball spun wide before winger Rob Mead broke the defenceand off-loaded to Solomans for the try. At 10 - 0 Brentwood looked dominant and totally in control for the first time in many weeks.

Through more good work from Cook and Mead the home side were soon back in Rochford's 22. With pack winning the line-outs comfortablythrough excellent throwing from hooker Steve Bowyer and the scrums held steady Brentwood were winning steady supply of good phase 1 ball. In the loose the pack were eagerly hunting the ball down and the third try came from such a play. Winger Cowen finished a move down the left wing using all his power and athleticism. Although he missed the conversion Brentwood were now 15 - 0 up and heading for victory.

At half-time the home side looked very comfortable but a 15 point lead going downhill is not normally good enough. A lot would depend in the second half on Brentwoods pack maintaining their commitment and discipline. In the backs scrum-half Joe Cook's insiprational play would need to be continued.

The home side started the second half badly when Rochford scores an early penalty, then Aston Bevans-Royston was controversially yellow carded for a high tackle. Brentwoods composure dropped and allowed Rochford a penalty. However a home side counter-attack by the much -in-form skipper Tom King, took play back to Rochfords 22. A penalty for offside and Cowen at last managed to get one over to put Brentwood into an 18 - 3 lead, into the last quarter with Rochford desperately chasing the game and making numerous errors.

 

Brentwoods pack soaked up the on-going pressure denying the ball to their opponents. Their three replacements Ben Amato, Joel Bevans-Royston and Shaun Turner came off the benchto give new legson the treacherous pitch. Joe Cook was sent off for dangerous play as the referee started to frustrate players and supporters alike with some of his decisions. However with the pitch beginning to freeze the referee blew for time giving Brentwood a much needed victory. After two narrow losses against Woodford and Eton Manor, Brentwood continued to show the necessary determination and commitment to reamin in this league