ROCHFORD Hundred centre Brett Smith was left crestfallen by his side’s narrow 22-21 defeat against Holt.

Rochford looked set for a fourth win in succession until a late converted try swayed the match in Holt’s favour and left Smith gutted.

“It was a tough one to take,” said Smith.

“Although the penalty count wasn’t as high as in recent weeks it’s the areas we are giving needless penalties away which are letting teams build scores which they do not deserve.

“Our dominance in the forwards week in, week out needs to be matched by the scoreline.

“Too many unforced errors and lack of finishing proved costly again.”

But Smith was also keen to look at the positive side of the performance.

“We are starting to play as a team rather than a forward pack and a back line up divided,” said Smith. “With a few tweaks in training results like these won’t be a reccurring problem.”

Rochford were initially on top at the weekend and went ahead when flanker Greg Whight drove over to score.

Holt soon hit back to level things up with a try of their own before Hundred got back on top in the second half with Scott Horsburgh powering through to touch down.

Holt hit back with a penalty before Rochford again stepped things up with second row Richard Mott breaking away to score an excellent try.

Another penalty from Holt then cut Rochford’s lead to 15-8 before they again levelled the scores with a converted try.

Two penalties from Simon Ashton put the hosts 21-15 in front heading into the dying minutes.

But Holt’s winger soon picked up on a loose ball before working his way through several attempted tackles to score.

And the subsequent difficult conversion dropped over the crossbar to break Rochford’s hearts as they sunk to sixth in the table.

Rochford Hundred: Bass, Chivers, Mark, Mott, Wheeler, Whight, Corbet, Horsburgh, Gould, Ashton, White, Smith, Edwards, Marshall, Fitzpatrick. Replacements: Wiseman, Doherty & Prior.

>Bottom-of-the-table Basildon suffered a sixth successive defeat in London Two North East as they were beaten 20-12 at Romford & Gidea Park.

However, it was a much better day for South Woodham Ferrers as they moved up to eighth in the table with a 34-27 win at Campion.