A rampant Rochford Hundred have stormed into the semi-finals of two major Essex competitions - the Thornton Cup and Over-55s championship.

The Thornton heroes crushed Thorndon Park 11-4 at the neutral Enfield course, while the veterans eased in 7-4 at home to Woodford.

Rochford were in control against Thorndon from the off leading 4-1 after the morning foursomes.

The first three matches went Rochford's way with Jimmy Dale and Neil Cochran just pipping Alastair Newlands and Steve Smith 1 up, while Jordan Moss and Andy Dawbarn beat Paul and Gary Homewood 3 and 1, and Rhys Piper and Steve Weidner saw off John Judd and John Burton 3 and 2.

Rochford suffered a minor hiccup when Nick Dutnall and John Gray lost 4 and 3 to James Court and Colin McKenzie.

But Tony Hadley and Talat Buta quickly redressed the balance with a narrow 2 and 1 win over Ian Stratford and Tony Hawes.

And Rochford were in no mood to let that lead slip away in the singles as Dale halved, with Judd and Cochran, Moss, Piper and Gray all chalking up convincing wins over Cort, P Homewood, McKenzie and G Homewood respectively.

Dawbarn went under 3 and 2 to Smith and Buta lost 1 down to Hawes, but with Hadley winning 2 and 1 over Burton, Dutnall 3 and 2 against Stratford and Weidner claiming a half with Newlands, Rochford marched into the semis where they will face Chelmsford at The Warren on Sunday, August 15.

Published Thursday July 22, 2004

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