MARK Billings bagged a hat-trick to help Rochford Hundred triumph 34-26 at Epping Upper Clapton.

The victory, which was Rochford’s sixth in eight games, saw them move up to sixth in the London Two North East standings.

And Hundred’s first team manager Graham Pratt was full of praise for the match-winning Billings.

“Mark has been a positive influence at Rochford this season since leaving Southend but over recent weeks he has been using his skills to greater advantage as his team has started to gel,” said Pratt.

“His three tries were of high quality and were at the heart of another excellent bonus point win but this was certainly not a one man performance as each player played his part against a good team and it was a step up from the previous week’s match.”

Despite that, it was Epping who opened the scoring with a try before Rochford hit back as Gregory Whight crashed over for a try which Matthew Stewart converted to put the visitors in front.

Billings’ first try of the afternoon then followed before a penalty from Stewart put Rochford 15-5 ahead at the break. However, Epping started the second half brightly and got back into the game with a converted try of their own.

But Rochford hit back with a lovely flowing attack which resulted in Billings gliding through to score. Stewart again added the extras but Epping soon replied with another converted try which cut Rochford’s lead to 22-19.

The visitors stayed strong though and soon increased their lead when Sam Edwards went over for the fourth and bonus point try before Billings completed his hat-trick.

Stewart’s conversion extended Rochford’s lead to 34-19 before Epping replied with another try to secure a bonus point which kept them just above Rochford ahead of the final game of the season this weekend.

Rochford complete their campaign away at champions Diss and Pratt is hoping Hundred may spring a surprise.

“It really would be something if we could come away with some points and finish on a high,” he added

Rochford: Guess, Bevan, Wiseman,Whight, Knowles, Grier, Turner, Corbet, Doherty, Jay, Edwards, Stewart, De-Bellefontaine, White, Billings

Replacements Levy,Spremulli & Clark