CANVEY 25

ROCHFORD 15

It was a case of deja vu as Rochford succumbed to a determined Canvey outfit in the setting sun at Tewkes Creek on Saturday.

In front of a crowd of mostly Rochford supporters the home side came away with the result that few could deny they deserved after a fiercely fought contest.

The visitors always knew from previous derby clashes that this would be a tough game, even though Rochford had only been defeated once this season in the League before this game.

The match started brightly enough for Rochford as they spun the ball wide forcing Canvey into defending their line.

Indeed the Magnolia Road side were unlucky not to score from their efforts when Matt Barber came near to opening up Canvey's resolute defence.

But it was the home side that, against the run of play, took advantage of some indifferent tackling to run in for the First try through Alan Berry, who pushed through after receiving a pass from Dave Dennis.

Rochford regrouped, fought back and some powerful running by full back Jamie Banks resulted in him crashing over for a try which Ben Green converted.

After more Rochford pressure they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but Green's kick went wide.

This seemed to spur Canvey into another gear as they enjoyed a spell where they had most of the play.

They were rewarded when they again punished slack Rochford defending for Carl Wakefield to score a try and then convert it to make it 12-7.

Canvey further increased their lead with a penalty from Damion Cooper before Green reduced the deficit with another penalty given for off side in front of the hosts' posts.

The Islanders finished the half with a further Cooper penalty, but with the wind and the sun in their favour Rochford looked forward to a better second half.

When Jamie Banks, who was always a threat to the home side in spite of a head injury picked up earlier in the game, powered over in the corner for his second try Rochford appeared to be forcing their way back into the game.

But with the contest up front slowly going Canvey's way and some good defensive tackling Rochford's determination began to waiver and it was Canvey that finished stronger.

The hosts finished the scoring after they won a line-out ball on the 22 and put in a well-worked dummy and got past three defence moves for Cooper to score and then convert.

Canvey spokesman Christopher Davey said his team played well and were always in control.

"The rest over Christmas and new year must have done them good," he added.

Upwardly mobile - Canvey (stripes) win the ball in this line-out

On the break - a Canvey player turns away with the ball following a scrum watched by a Rochford opponent

Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY

A happy new year for Basildon

COLCHESTER 8

BASILDON 36

The new towners lived up to their reputation of coming good around the time of new year with a fine victory over Colchester.

Basildon's forwards formed the platform for this win and, thanks to their dominance, allowed the team's backs plenty of scope for attacks.

"Basically, Colchester could not handle our forwards, who ground them down and took them apart in line-outs, in the scrum and in the loose," said Basildon spokesman Dai Griffiths.

"Their tackling was also devastating and this left Colchester with no place to hide.

"The players wanted this one badly and got it," added Griffiths. "This was one of our best performances against Colchester."

Basildon started off well when Lloyd Williams scored a try from a good three-quarters' move. Martin Tilson converted to make it 7-0.

Good work from the visiting forwards let Matt Brian in for a try which was again converted by Tilson.

A Basildon offside move gave Colchester a chance to get on the scoreboard through a penalty. They did not squander it and made the score 14-3.

The new towners were quick to reply through John Martin following good pressure. That extend Basil-don's lead to 19-3.

But Colchester came back and nipped in a try to make it 19-8 as Basildon suffered a bit of a lapse at the end of the first-half and at the beginning of the second.

Yet the hosts were enable to take further advantage of the upturn in their fortunes.

Basildon pulled themselves back together though as their forwards grabbed hold of the game by the scruff of the neck.

First Scott Nicholls made it 24-8 with a fine try which came after a well-rehearsed line-out move.

Then another line-out towards the end of the game saw the ball moved out quickly to Tilson, who went over to make it 29-8.

However, one of the best tries of the match was the last Basildon one, which saw Tilson bring John Martin into play from another line-out. Martin went over on the wing and Tilson converted to wrap up the game.

Griffiths said the whole team deserved praise and picked out Staurt Adams, Matt Brian, Luke Kirkup, skipper Gary Smith and Spencer Cackett for particular praise.

Success for seconds

BASILDON II 24

COLCHESTER II 12

This was a pleasing win at Gardiners Close for the seconds.

The game started very openly but Basildon got their game together under the inspiration of skipper Dave Upton.

The new towners' tries came from martin Theobald, Gary Baxter, Bob Latchford and Hugh Parsons.

Basildon's third team lost 13-12 to Colchesters' thirds at Gardiners Close in what was a closely fought game.

Rusty 'Cliff suffer

OLD CANTABRIGIANS 30

WESTCLIFF 0

The three-week festive break took its toll on Westcliff, who went into this game looking ring rusty.

Most of the Westcliff first team had not played since before Christmas and others, coming back from injury, had not been in action for considerably longer.

But the final scored flattered Cantabs, who benefited from two late tries which should not have been allowed in the eyes of some players and spectators.

Possession of the ball was shared equally between the teams but it was the home side who took their chances, while Westcliff did not and paid the price for it.

The visitors - who have been struck by a crippling injury list - did put their Cambridge hosts under pressure at various times but, despite some excellent tackling and covering, Cantabs always had the edge and ended up winning fairly easily.

Westcliff spokesman Geoff Sawyer said he hoped the Aviation Way side's fortunes would improve as more players came back off the injury list.

Early fortune falters

WESTCLIFF LIONS 15

SOUTHEND VETS 22

Old Cantabs were unable to fulfil the arranged fixture so Southend's veterans stepped in against a Lions squad featuring third team members.

Westcliff started brightly when Des Despres collected a pass from Stuart Richmond and scooted over for a try which was not converted.

The home team's lead was increased to 8-0 when John Dowling kicked a penalty.

But Southend's veterans were more streetwise and bided their time before grabbing their chance and scoring two tries to take a 10-8 lead.

The visitors increased their lead by adding two more tries, then Westcliff lost Stuart Richmond and Mike Redding at half-time before hitting a purple patch which saw them taking the game to Southend.

Tom Barrett jumped well at the line-out and Dowling shoved like a train in the back row as the Westcliff forwards battled against their experienced opponents.

Late in the game Southend won a midfield scrum but lost the ball outside which allowed the Lions' backs to grab it and take it upfield for Chris Tansley to score near the posts. Southend, however, held on to their lead to win.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.