Romford roll on…

After last week’s emphatic victory over Basildon, Romford were fired up and looking for their first cup victory of the season. A short trip to Chingford on a bright Sunday morning beckoned and after a respectful two minute silence on Remembrance Sunday – the game was ready for kick off.

Romford started brightly and it wasn’t long before Luke Metcalf found a hole in the Chingford defensive line to touch down in the corner for Romford’s first try. This jolted Chingford into life and they quickly responded with their first converted try of the game. Romford, in response, really started to play to their strengths and it wasn’t long before Owen Flower found a gap to exploit and touch down for Romford’s second try of the day. The scrum was strong, and Romford’s rucking and attacking work was pushing Chingford backwards and forcing them to concede ground and make errors. This was telling when Chingford spilt the ball over the try line and Michael Sultana reacted fastest to ground the ball for Romford’s third try of the game. He didn’t leave it their either, it wasn’t long before he charged through Chingford’s defence to score his second and Romford’s fourth of the game. Chingford countered with a second try to finish the half.

HT: Chingford 12-20 RGP

A lapse in concentration at the beginning of the second half saw Chingford score again and narrow the game but Romford were pressing on. Bobby Watts wriggled through the defence and managed to ground the ball for a fifth try. Chingford were pushing hard though and again narrowed Romford’s lead to one point with a break away try. Romford regrouped and found another gear and it was now their teamwork began to show. All over the park players were starting to step up and show their key strengths. Ben Shawyer put his head down to burst through the defence and make yards, Nelson Fragjaj did the hard work and rumbled forward whenever he got possession of the ball, James Mimms pushed his way through the oppositions rucks and Ryan Page stood firm in defence and darted forward with every chance he had. The boys’ perseverance rewarded them when Owen Flower found another gap to dance through to score his second and Romford’s sixth try of the game. Romford were taking the bull by the horns and pushing on. Tom O’Meara’s speed earned him a vital seventh try that Shaun Kerr converted and Luke Metcalf raced through for his second and Romford’s eighth try, which Shaun Kerr also converted. Victory was assured when Torez Polius dodged and weaved past Chingford's defence to score the final ninth try of the game and earn a fantastic result.

Final Score:
Chingford 24
RGP 49

Tries: Luke Metcalf (2), Owen Flower (2), Michael Sultana (2), Bobby Watts, Tom O’Meara, Torez Polius
Conversions: Shaun Kerr (2)

Squad: L. Metcalf (c), M. Courtney, O. Flower, N. Fragjaj, C. Hardy, S. Kerr, B. Lloyd, T. O’Meara, J. Mimms, R. Page, T. Polius, R. Pooley, J. Rawana, H. Runham, B. Shawyer, M. Sultana, B. Walton, B. Watts