Essex Cup final

Rochford Hundred 3, Campion 14

ROCHFORD Hundred ended their season in disappointing style, surrendering their Essex Cup title to Campion in an uninspiring and error strewn struggle in front of a large crowd at Barking.

The first half was a dire affair with both defences dominating but Campion had still had the territorial advantage.

Rochford defended well and turned over a great deal of Campion’s ball but were not able to capitalise on it.

However, Hundred’s scrummaging was shaky and the line-out and driving maul non functional which Campion made them pay for by slotting over three penalty kicks to put them ahead 9 – 0 at the break.

In reply, an Adam Ashton penalty late in the match gave Rochford some hope but when a back pass from an attacking move deep in Rochford territory was intercepted by a Campion player he ran through to score and the game was virtually over.

Rochford did still have time for a late spell of pressure in George Fouche’s last game as head coach but they could not break down a stubborn Campion defence, much to the disappointment of first team manager Graham Pratt.

“It was not our finest hour but the team can now look forward to a summer break,” said Pratt.

“But they should also reflect back on an under-achieving season and give serious thought to their ambitions and aims under a new coaching regime next season.”

Rochford: Mark, Chivers, Wiseman, Tape, Horsburgh, Mott, Spencer, Murphy, Smith, Ashton, White, Stemp, Stewart, Baker Jack, Edwards

Replacements: Bass, Hughes, Warner, Marshall, S Ashton & Bracknell.