Rochford Hundred 69 FULLERIANS 1st XV 5

London 1 North League

Rochford Hundred make no secret that they have many paid contracted players at the club and have a plan to move up the national leagues. They were unbeaten in 2018 and in this league have won every game by a bonus point this season and have at times scored over 100 points per game. They are well organised and clinical as they capitalise on any mistake and always keep the ball alive.

Fullers have had a tough season with injuries and unavailability of players but today the team fronted up and played with much spirit to make their hosts work for their win. However, Fullers did gift Rochford their first try with a sloppy pass in the mid field for the centre to run in against the run of play you could argue.

Fullers were more dominant at scrum time and competed well at the line out but Rochford ran strong straight lines and always took two or three players to stop these runs. Inevitably the gaps appeared for the home side to run in several tries before half time.

Good strong running by flanker Owen Scully almost saw him go over for Fullers and quick thinking by scrum half Harrison Wells at penalty time saw him almost crash over but the Rochford defence held firm.

In the second half Rochford continued their dominance in open play and ran in more tries but Fullers kept competing much to the enjoyment of the crowd. They were awarded a penalty on the 5 metre line and opted for the scrum. The ball popped out and was shifted wide and a lovely off load by fly half Myles Toon put winger Tom Williams in the corner.

Rochford replied with more tries and a deserved win and certain promotion come the end of the season.

“I was proud of the guys today who made themselves available and put a shift in. Rochford are very good in all departments and are probably at present a National 1 or at least 2 side. Our set piece held firm but we will work on our phase and attack play over the next couple of weeks as there is all to play for.” commented Fullerians Head Coach Rich Hoskins.

Team. Barson (MacDougall 50), Williams, Bushell, Boyd, Kerr, Scully (S. Deller 50), D. Toon, Harvey, Wells, M. Toon, T. Williams, Dollard, Mann (Bescond 50), K. Cavanagh, C. Laurenson.

Man of the Match: George Harvey