Westcliff's derby delight as late fightback secures win against Rochford Hundred

Rochford raced into a 17-8 lead in the National Two South clash.

But Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton was delighted with how the hosts recovered to record their third win of the season.

Touching down - Rochford Hundred’s Maciu Nabogi scores a try for the visitors in the first half of the National Two South clash at the Gables

“It was a typical derby game absorbing, tense, always compelling and both sides were fully committed,” said Compton.

“We were rewarded for playing to the end, for not giving up, and in the game’s final minutes producing the game’s two defining moments of quality to open up their defensive line.

“It was a good moment for us in a difficult season that concludes next week away at Dings.”

Westcliff took the lead with a penalty from skipper Greg Bannister before Rochford responded and established a foothold in the game.

Hundred created pressure of their own and, although the game was end to end, they were able to convert two opportunities through short range drives with Maciu Nabogi and Aston Bevans-Royston touching down to put Rochford 12-3 in front at half-time.

Scrum on down - Westcliff (left) and Rochford Hundred battle it out during Saturday’s local derby which was played in front of a bumper crowd

In the second period the wind favoured the visitors but Westcliff were now playing with more freedom and purpose.

And that soon led to them scoring a try through Billy Morrant who touched down from a driving maul, meaning the teams were within a single score of each other at 12-8.

The game ebbed and flowed for another 15 minutes or so with the hosts seeking and threatening to get their noses in front but they were frustrated by dogged defence.

Instead the visitors struck next and, after 68 minutes, they moved swiftly up field.

Despite being held up short they were able to get over from short range with a try from Redmond Newberry putting them 17-8 ahead.

With 10 minutes to play it was now or never for Westcliff and they took to their task manfully.

Making a break - Rochford Hundred fly-half Sam Cappaert (left) looks to escape the attentions of Westcliff’s Alex Hatton

Within two minutes they had driven deep in to the Rochford 22 and forced a penalty in front.

They declined the kick at goal and moved the ball through hands to skipper Bannister who slid through the defensive line to score a try he also converted to cut Rochford’s lead to 17-15.

Hundred, with the benefit of the wind, responded by controlling territory and possession to keep Westcliff at arm’s length for five of those minutes but the hosts made their tackles, held their discipline and when it arrived seized their opportunity.

A loose ball was pounced on and was shifted left through hands allowing the home backs to drive into the Rochford half.

A few phases later Fin Doyle broke the line at pace before being stopped just a few metres short.

Making a break - Rochford's Wouter Roters goes on the attack

Quick ball to the left, and a delayed pass as the defence flew up by Bannister, released Hogarth to crash over to complete the turn around and put them 20-17 in front.

There was still time for Rochford to throw themselves into one last assault on the home line but Westcliff held on to win leaving Hundred's head coach Danny Cleare to reflect on what might have been.

"It was a game of two halves," said Cleare.

"We played into a strong wind first, we kept the ball really well and dominated the first 40.

"We scored two and should have had another one or two if we just had a bit more patience.

"The second half Westcliff came out and played a lot better and looked dangerous in the middle of the park through Banny and Hoggy and put us under a lot of pressure.

"It was a disappointing result after being in complete control early on but the nature of a derby match is anything can happen and credit goes to Westcliff for their spirit to fight back."