Letchworth 57-10 Rochford: Legends rediscover their mojo with resounding success

Legends really came back to form on Saturday with a severe blitz on lowly Rochford.

Before this match the Essex side, were not condemned to relegation, and may still escape if the leagues are rearranged.

However, after a bright start by the visitors, which was with stood by good defence by Letchworth once the backs got into action the result was never in doubt . 

Head coach Baz Basra was delighted with the return to form after several disappointing results but stressed there was still much to improve on.

All the usual suspects had good games. Up front Tom Lewis and Llewelyn Jones had fine performances and Josh Sharp controlled the game from fly half whilst Charlie Parkhouse playing in the centre scooped a hat trick.

It was also great to see winger Tatenda Gurure back from long term injury enjoying a fine game. However, Basra named an unsung hero, Tim Hughes, as his man of the match. The hooker who had returned from a concussion injury several weeks ago was on fire with several great carries and stout defence. Mention should also be made of Skipper Liam Fittts who put on a mighty shift in the open side position and Luke Mongston on his other flank. 

Having with stood the early Rochford pressure, Letchworth worked a great move between centres, Parkhouse and Streets, which took them to near the line. After a quick recycle Llewellyn, Jones was on hand to go over.

Rochford again attacked and kicked a penalty to make it 5/3 but that was the closest they got all afternoon. Drives by Lewis and Jones saw Parkhouse break free for try number two converted by Sharp. It was his fellow centre, Rick Streets who went over for the third before Llewelyn Jones secured the bonus point try after just thirty three minutes.

There was more to come as pocket sized winger Josh Staddon broke for the line but was brought down a metre short. However, another quick recycle saw him able to pounce over in the corner to make the score 31/3 at half time and Letchworth very much in control . 

The second half was to be much more of the same to the delight of the large home crowd.

Incessant pressure from Letchworth saw replacement scrum half Sam Valpy, throwing out a fine ball downhill to Charlie Parkhouse, who cut through to score, another try. Valpy again put burly flanker Luke Mongston through and a one two with Parkhouse saw Mongston across the whitewash.

Another ambitious move by the Letchworth backs was intercepted by the Rochford winger who flew over for their consolation try .

Any hopes on them building on this were soon snuffed out as Valpy having a fine game broke blind and went over unopposed in the 71st minute to notch up the half century. There was still time for Luke Mongston to break clear, and then feed Charlie Parkhouse for his hat-trick to conclude matters with Sharp, adding the points to make it 57/10 at the end, and a great days work for the home side, who retain third position in this very competitive league.

Now a trip away to Old Northamptonians awaits next week, and if the game is as entertaining as it was at legends Lane, it will be well worth the trip. The final game after Easter will be against Westcliffe where the lunch has already been sold out. 

Team from 1 

Robinson 

Hughes T 

Stokes 

Jones 

Peasnell 

Mongston 

Fitts. C 

Lewis 

Howman vc 

Sharp

Gurure 

Parkhouse

Streets 

Staddon

Gibbs 

Wilcock

Gibb A 

Valpy