ROCHFORD Hundred suffered a sixth defeat in seven games, losing 38-19 at home to Romford & Gidea Park.

Hundred kicked off the London Two North East with hopes of pushing for promotion.

But they now sit third from bottom in the standings, much to the disappointment of first team manager Graham Pratt.

“The squad now really need to look at themselves and decide what needs to be done and how they are going to achieve it,” said Pratt.

“That’s what coach Michael Guess stressed in no uncertain terms to them after the game was over.”

Despite the final score-line, Rochford made a promising start on Saturday and went in front with a penalty kick from Matt Stewart.

However, Romford hit back with three tries in quick succession to take a 17-3 lead.

There was not too much in the way of positive rugby from Rochford throughout the first half as the set scrum was continually under pressure and lineout was also hit and miss.

There were also a number of errors in general play and some poor decision making which saw Romford score another try to lead 24-3 at half-time.

A couple of changes at half time helped Rochford regroup and they started to play with more purpose and aggression especially in the set scummage as they began to push the big Romford pack off the ball.

Their effort was rewarded after some sustained pressure on the Romford try line by the referee awarding a penalty try which was not converted but reduced the deficit to 24-8.

Rochford continued to force the pace and, after more powerful play from the forwards, a second penalty try was given and the resulting conversion cut Romford’s lead to 24-15.

But, just as a comeback seemed possible, Romford upped their game and scored two more converted tries without further reply.

Rochford will now be looking to bounce back at bottom of the table Campion on Saturday.

But Pratt is not taking victory for granted.

“It is always a difficult place to play,” added Pratt.

“And in spite of their opposition’s lowly league position we are not far behind them.”

Rochford Hundred: Mark, Guess, Wiseman (M Bevan), Wheeler, Harbrow, Turner, Grier, Corbet, Doherty (Jay), Stewart, Pickering (Fitzpatrick), Dieu-De-Bellefontaine, Spremulli, Billings