LONDON TWO NORTH EAST
Rochford Hundred 10, Cantabrigian 19
ROCHFORD Hundred’s final home game of the season ended in disappointment as they were seen off 19-10 by Cantabrigian.
Hundred had been hoping to sign off from Magnolia Road in style.
But they were unable to come out on top and now face a fight to finish fourth.
And the setback frustrated their first team manager Graham Pratt.
“This was a very disappointing match, especially as it was the final home game of the season in front of a large crowd,” said Pratt.
“We had the better of the first half with most of the possession and territory but ultimately fell short against a side that took their chances when offered them.”
However, despite their eventual disappointment, Rochford opened the scoring when powerful flanker Max Bacon broke free to run in for a well-deserved try.
But Cantabrigian hit back against the run of play when their stand-off sped through to score under the posts for a converted try.
Rochford replied by dominating the rest of the half but they were unable to turn that pressure into points and the visitors stayed 7-5 in front at half-time.
After the break, Cantabrigian ran in a second try to extend their lead before the game became rather fractious with many stoppages.
Rochford gave away a number of unnecessary penalties for ill-discipline and arguing with the referee as they surrendered territory to their gradually more confident opponents.
As a result, Cantabrigian soon bagged another converted try and Rochford became over anxious in their pursuit of the points needed to get back into the game.
Only a terrific try saving tackle by winger Louie Marshall stopped the visitors scoring again before Rochford hit back with a fine individual try from Gavin Tusini.
But, with time running out, Hundred were unable to get complete a comeback and they head into the last game of the season in fourth position just a point clear of Cantabrigian.
Rochford Hundred: Bass,Chivers,Wiseman,Tape,Wheeler,Bacon,Whight,Horsburgh,Gould,Fitzpatrick,Marshall, Stemp,Smith,Pickering,Clarke
Replacements: Mark,Edwards & Tusini
>TENTH placed Basildon were beaten 27-12 at Romford & Gidea Park at the weekend while bottom of the table Basildon lost 44-12 at home to table-topping Saffron Walden.
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