ROCHFORD Hundred slipped to within a point of the London Two North East relegation zone after suffering a narrow 23-22 defeat at Ipswich.

The setback was Rochford’s third in four games and frustrated their first team manager Graham Pratt.

“The team as a whole did not function for the full 80 minutes and will need to concentrate on that aspect,” said Pratt.

“We could have come away with a five point win but had to settle for two bonus points instead.

“A number of weeks ago we would have been quite happy with that but this side expect more from themselves and that can only be a good sign of their improvement.

“But we will also need to tighten up on the decision making, some aimless kicking and final execution before taking on Cantabrigian at home next week.”

Despite the defeat, Rochford started well and took the lead with an early well-taken try from flanker Nik Grier which was converted by Matt Stewart.

Ipswich replied with a penalty kick before Rochford scored once again when Andrew Bevan finished off good quick ball from a scrum to make it 12-3.

Hundred had Ipswich, who occupy the final relegation position, on the run but errors began to appear in their game which allowed the home-side’s pack to shine.

The hosts did exactly that to score two tries in quick succession and led 15-12 at half-time.

After the break, Rochford got back on top and regained the lead when replacement flanker Louis Warner was driven over the line by the visitors’ lively forwards.

Moments later, Grier bagged his second try of the game to put Hundred 22-15 in front heading into the final quarter of the game.

However, poor finishing and kicking from Rochford allowed the Suffolk side back into the game and narrowed the lead to just two points with a late try.

Ipswich continued to pile forward and successfully kicked a last gasp penalty to secure a dramatic win which breathed life back into their own survival hopes while bringing Rochford back to within a point of the bottom three.

Rochford Hundred: Mark, Corbet, Wiseman, Horsburgh, Bacon, Grier, Whight, A Bevan, Edwards, Stewart, Marshall, Spremulli, De Bellefontaine, White, Billings

Replacements: Bevan, M Warner & Fitzpatrick