Rochford Hundred slip to foot of London One North table after defeat to Diss

The game was switched to be played in Norfolk due to the state of Rochford’s home pitch.

And Hundred’s first team manager Graham Pratt insisted the team were again left to rue what might have been.

“At the end of the game, we were left with the knowing that this was another game we should have put away on the day,” said Pratt.

“More good individual performances from the likes of Lloyd O’Conner, Tom Pickering Dan and James Needham and others but another chance to improve our league standing went begging.”

Rochford started with a bang when winger Tom Pickering scored a great try after some fast and skilful back play.

Soon after that,stand off Dan Needham broke through to go over and convert his own try and Rochford were 12- 0 up in as many minutes.

Another penalty from Needham soon increased Rochford’s lead but the home-side were then given a lucky break when a Rochford lapse, allowed their winger to pick up the ball to sprint away and score a try which was converted.

In reply, Dan Needham struck over a further penalty to increase the score line to 18- 7 before Diss’s influential full back kicked a penalty to reduce the margin. Another Diss penalty brought the score to 18-13 at the break and it was the hosts who did most of the playing in the second session.

Their second row crashed over before the full-back successfully slotted home the conversion to take the lead at 20-18.

They then went further ahead with a try by the full back who also the extras.

The game carried on in this fashion until the last few minutes when Rochford’s efforts were rewarded when captain Matt.Stewart finished off a good move to score under the posts.

Needham converted but by then the damage had already been done.

Rochford: Mark,Defreitas,Coombe,Mott,Knowles, Needham J.Farren,Whight,O’Conner,Needham D. Pickering,Stewart,Tusini,Barnes,Brown Replacements: Vaquez,Warner & Boxtel