OA run out comfortable winners with an eight try thrashing of Rochford 100. On a perfect afternoon for rugby Rochford had clearly come to play and were happy to move the ball through the hands on as many occasions as possible but they met with a determined defence. OAs too were keen to run with the ball and this led to an open game, although in the first half there were too many handling errors for either coach’s liking. During the first half there was little to choose between the sides; OA outscored Rochford with tries from second row Seb Mummery from a rolling maul and number 8 Mitchelow following a penalty from a line out which OA ran in from the Rochford 22 meter line. Rochford had a try of their own which came after a series of three catch and drive lineouts with a conversion and penalty to go into half time 13-12 up.

OA superior fitness was to tell in the second half as they ran in six further tries. The only blemish was a red card on 60 minutes for a head on head contact which had no force or malice but left the referee with no other option. OA were winning collisions and despite a man advantage Rochford moved away from the running rugby that had served them well in the first half and started kicking away their possession. OA were only too happy to run the ball back. The try fest started on 42 minutes with Mitchelow second try try. Replacement scrumhalf McPhun showed he was equally happy at fly half and scored after a mazy run. Rochford continued kicking and this led to a charge down and try for wing Ijeh. Rochford didn’t give up and were rewarded with a try from the number 8 following a move through the hands. The last 10 minutes was all OA and they scored a penalty try from a catch and drive lineout which Rochford stopped illegally and a try for replacement hooker Bond from a catch and drive lineout on the 5 meter line. Man of the match Ben Alexander scored on 78 minutes to complete the rout. If was an afternoon where OA 15 man game came together and they will look forward to a well-earned rest on the blank weekend next week.

Richard Homer,

Reporter