Tjs headed to Rochford Hundred for their final N2E game of the season knowing that the result would not impact on their 8th place finish but very much aware a performance was needed.

Their hosts on the other hand were firm in the belief that a win could save them from relegation provided Westcliff could secure a first win of the season away at Sevenoaks. In the end neither happened and TJs edged a tight encounter and Rochford drop a league with Sevenoaks clinging on for N2E rugby next season.

Rochford started strongly in front of a large noisy crowd and put TJs under early pressure. TJs though withstood the initial onslaught and forced Rochford back into their own half. A series of penalties and lineouts saw the ball spun out to Tom White, making his 400th National rugby appearance, who arced as the defence drifted and he slid over to score. Converting it himself and TJs were 0-7 up after 10 minutes.

Tjs power was starting to reap rewards and Rochford's forwards were finding it hard to get round the corner and Matt Walsh was aware at scrum half as he darted down the short side after 17 minutes to combine with Duncan Tout who dived over to score. 0-12 to TJs and all good.
The game then entered a phase of stop start play as Rochford injuries piled up but they too felt that the edges were where they might find reward. Wrong as it was actually down the middle as their centre cut a great line to scythe through after 22 minutes and Rochford were back in the game at 7-12.

Plenty of huff and puff from there from both sides, several knocks for Rochford and few scoring opportunities took us the half time break.

The second half started brightly for TJs and early pressure on the Rochford line enabled Matt Walsh to charge down their clearance and dot down. White converted and TJs were 7-19 up.

Five minutes later the try bonus appeared after the backs flew down the slight slope with James Newey drifting on the pass before juggling and then finding Tom Kendrick who sped over from 30 metres. 7-24.

TJ supporters will have been hopeful that the team could add another to put the game away but it was Rochford who started to put the pressure on and they were swiftly back on the scoreboard with a converted try of their own to make it 14-24 with 25 minutes to go.

TJs perhaps sensed a fightback and the next penalty was sent through the uprights by White to extend the TJ lead again to 14-27 and a healthy lead. But Rochford were not going to go away and as TJs started to slip off a few tackles they got a foothold in the left corner where they managed to get over to close again to 19-27. The conversion missed they need to score twice with 13 minutes left.

The tension grew and it was Rochford who were finishing the stronger. The TJ defence was scrambling now as Rochford looked to move the ball at every opportunity. A score surely had to come soon but the clock ticked away before Rochford scored again int he left corner and the kick was good. A one point game then with no real time left.

Rochford piled into the TJ defence and went in search of a try when a penalty would have been enough. And as the pressure grew you felt one or other was surely to follow but a big hit under the sticks caused Rochford to fumble and the game was over.

A typical end of season encounter but a rare away win for TJs so one to savour despite a very up and down season. So we say goodbye to Rochford and near neighbours Westcliff from N2E and the squad takes a well earned break for a few months.