Essex Cup

Rochford Hundred 19, Romford & Gidea Park 29

ROCHFORD Hundred were seen off 29-19 by Romford & Gidea Park in the semi-final of the Essex Cup.

Rochford had been confident of beating their London Two North East rivals.

But their first team manager Graham Pratt felt his side could have no complaints about the result.

“It was hard fought contest from start to finish and we had to concede that Romford deserved their victory and that we came off second best on the day,” said Pratt.

“Perhaps it was also that we expected to win and fell foul of the old adage that you should never underestimate the opposition.”

Despite the final score-line, Rochford started well with Marcus Spremulli scoring an early try.

Romford replied with a try of their own before the hosts’ flanker Brett Smith also touched down with Harry Chipper’s subsequent conversion making it 12-7.

But Romford finished the half strongly with a penalty kick and a late converted try to lead 17-12 at the break.

The second half started badly for Rochford when the visitors went further ahead with another try before second row Scott Wheeler drove over after some good approach work by the forwards.

Scott Horsburgh’s conversion cut Romford’s lead to 22-19 and both sides started to fight it out.

Rochford nearly scored again on a number of occasions but final passes and general misfortune denied them any further score.

As the game drew to a close jubilant Romford rubbed salt into the wound with a late converted try to secure a victory Pratt felt was largely down to their commitment.

“On the day they wanted it that much more than us,” said Pratt.

“We know we didn’t play up to our usual standard or well enough to win on the day.

“But on Saturday we have an important league match against Cantabrians at home when the lads will have to pick themselves up again and get back into their rhythm.”