‘Injuries not to blame for loss’ (From Echo)

‘Injuries not to blame for loss’

4:00pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

ROCHFORD Hundred sunk to 31-12 defeat at high-flying Eton Manor.

Hundred were hit by injuries to flanker Tom Corbet and centre Gavin Tusini during the defeat.

But their first team manager Graham Pratt refused to use that as an excuse.

“The injuries didn’t help but these things happen and the team needs to readjust accordingly,” said Pratt.

“This was another disappointing afternoon and it was down to a lack of real aggression up front, coupled with giving away too much of the ball.

“Eton Manor dominated possession and took the chances that came their way.

“But other than that there was not too much to choose between the sides.”

Rochford scored two tries during the game with the excellent James Needham touching down, along with new scrum half Lloyd O’Connor.

Dan Needham added a conversion but second-placed Manor touched down four times and also kicked three penalties and a conversion.

Rochford, like Basildon, have now lost six of their seven games so far this season and the teams meet in a crunch clash at Magnolia Road this weekend.

Rochford are third from bottom in the standings, with Basildon one place lower.

Rochford: Mark, Defreitas, Coombe, Knowles, Stephenson, Corbet, Whight, J Needham, O’Connor, Boxtel, Brown, Tusi ni, Stewart, Prior, D Needham. Replacements: Vasquez, Searle & Levy.