ROCHFORD Hundred were seen off 28-12 by Old Priorians in the quarter finals of the Intermediate Cup.

Priorians, who sit second in London Two North West, bagged two tries and two penalties in the first half to set up the win.

But Rochford’s first team manager Graham Pratt was still proud of his side’s efforts as they fought back strongly to narrow the margin of their defeat.

“This was a sterling effort from the team but we know that we were beaten by the better team on the day,” said Pratt.

“In spite of some dubious refereeing decisions we had no complaints about the outcome and we wish the Old Boys well in the competition.”

Using the wind in the first session Priorians attacked with vigour and soon went ahead with a penalty kick and a try.

Only stout defence and some breakdowns kept the fast flowing old boys from scoring more points until the final minutes when Rochford conceded a late try and penalty to turn round 16–0 down.

Old Priorians played an expansive game and moved the ball through the hands at speed but it was their forwards who matched the might of the Rochford pack and forced them into errors.

Even in the second half when all the elements were in the visitors’ favour the home team increased the pressure and forced Rochford to pull out all the stops.

Rochford did launch some good attacks of their own, mainly through using the strength of their forward power but again Priorians matched force with force and stole the ball off the boys in black on a number occasions.

A leg injury to influential stand off Tom Ashton did not help Rochford’s cause.

But the team rose to that challenge and later in the game applied good pressure which was rewarded with a try from flanker Greg.

Whight who crashed over for Matt Stewart to convert.

Shortly afterwards, the ever improving Ricky Wiseman also drove over in the corner for a well taken try but it was too late to spark a late revival as Old Priorians went through to the final four of the competition.