Graham Pratt: Rochford Hundred must tighten up defence (From Echo)

Graham Pratt: Rochford Hundred must tighten up defence

12:01pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

R OCHFORD Hundred suffered a third successive defeat, losing 53-32 at Letchworth Garden City.

The home side fully deserved the win due to the extra pace in their backs.

But Rochford’s first team manager Graham Pratt felt the final scoreline was not a fair reflection of the game.

“We put in a lot of good effort taking the game to Letchworth but we let ourselves down by giving away hard-won possession,” said Pratt.

“They exploited that with relish, but I don’t think the final scoreline was fair.

“We do have a number of issues to be addressed but, with each game, I think we are beginning to mould ourselves into a good attacking side that can play with the best this league offers.

“However, we do need to tighten up on defence and decision making if we want to progress.”

Rochford went ahead at the weekend with an interception try from captain Matt Stewart.

Letchworth responded with a penalty kick and then followed that up with a breakaway try to go in front for the first time.

They continued to take the chances coming their way and soon scored two converted tries to take their lead to 22-5.

A Nick Ventress penalty reduced that deficit but the Hertfordshire club soon went further ahead with another converted try.

But Rochford continued to press and a try from Laurie Scanaglia-Cooke, which was converted by Ventress, cut Letchworth’s lead to 29-15 at half-time.

After the break, a try from Sam Barnes made the scoreline even closer but their hopes of a comeback were soon ended when the hosts scored three more tries, two of which were converted.

Rochford responded with a try from Barnes to gain a precious bonus point before another Letchworth try sealed their victory.

But Rochford were not finished and had the final say with a fine try from full-back Dan Needham which Ventress converted.

Rochford: Rowe, Corbet, Coombe, Stephenson, Whight, Knowles, Searle, J Needham, Bracknell, Ventress, Barnes, Stewart, Brown, Scanaglia-Cooke, D Needham.

Replacements: DeFreitas, Mott and Hall.