SIMON Ashton’s late penalty secured Rochford Hundred a hard fought 14-12 victory at local rivals Basildon.

The win was Rochford’s third London Two North East triumph in a row to keep them fifth in the standings.

And Rochford’s first team manager Graham Pratt was full of praise for the side’s never say die attitude.

“It was tense right up to the last minute as we trailed Basildon for the whole match until the end,” said Pratt.

“For the most part we played below our usual standards but we stuck with it to triumph and showed that strength of character once again.”

Rochford were forced to come from behind to secure their latest triumph as bottom of the table Basildon, who have yet to win this season, went in front with an unconverted try.

Hundred soon hit back with a penalty from Ashton to cut Basildon’s lead to 5-3 and, despite yellow cards being showed to both sides, the scored stayed the same until half-time.

After the break, Basildon went further in front with a converted try to make it 12-3.

At this stage it appeared it would not be Rochford’s day with Basildon enjoying more possession and territory and also showing more aggression.

But Rochford gradually started to win more of the ball and, following a great catch and drive near the Basildon line, their forwards drove over for Scott Horsburgh to touch down.

The try went unconverted but Rochford continued to fight back with both their forwards and backs playing their part as the pressure began to tell.

As a result, Ashton soon calmly slotted home a penalty to cut Basildon’s lead to 12-11 before he did likewise right at the death to secure what had seemed an unlikely victory for Rochford.

Rochford Hundred: Bass, Corbet, Chivers, Mott, Wheeler, Whight, Knowles, Horsburgh, Gould, Ashton, Pickering, Smith, Stewart, Fitzpatrick, Doherty.

Replacements: Mark, Wiseman & Bevan.

>SOUTH Woodham Ferrrers slipped to ninth in the London Two North East standings after suffering a 19-13 defeat at Saffron Walden.