ROCHFORD Hundred scrum half Ricki Gould was left ruing his side’s sloppy start following Saturday’s 25-15 defeat to London Two North East leaders Saffron Walden.

The visitors raced into a 17-3 lead in the first half.

But Gould believes Rochford could well have secured a shock success if they had started the game the same way they finished it.

“Saffron Walden’s back line were pretty athletic and sharp and they started a lot better than us which was the difference in the end,” said the talented 18-year-old.

“I think it was three tries to them at half time and they got one early doors second half but then we made a couple of subs and turned it up

“I scored a try, then we got a runaway try from Louie (Marshall) as well and I thought the comeback was on.

“Maybe if there had been another 10 minutes we might have done it but we left it a little bit too late in the end unfortunately.”

Fourth placed Rochford went ahead with a penalty from Scott Horsburgh at Magnolia Road but the visitors hit back with a trio of tries to lead 17-3 at half-time.

Saffron Walden touched down again at the start of the second period before Rochford began to get going with Gould scoring an excellent try which was converted by Gavin Tusini.

Louie Marshall then also sprinted through to score a try which cut Walden’s lead to 22-15.

However, two yellow cards then hit Rochford’s hopes of success and the visitors made sure of their victory with a late penalty.

But Hundred’s first team manager Graham Pratt was keen to remain upbeat.

“We played extremely well and contributed to a very entertaining match of good quality,” said Pratt.

“We still feel confident of finishing strongly in the remaining matches to come.”

Rochford Hundred: Mark,Chivers,Wiseman,Tape,Wheeler,Whight,Corbet, Horsburgh,Gould,Fitzpatrick,White,Smith,Stemp,Marshall,Pickering

Replacements: Bass,Clarke & Tusini

>SOUTH Woodham Ferrers returned to winning ways with a 21-14 at Norwich at the weekend.

Woodham, who remain 10th in the table, had been beaten in their previous two outings.

However, bottom of the table Basildon suffered a 19th successive defeat at the weekend, losing 14-7 at Ipswich.