MITCH Bennett bagged five tries to help Rochford Hundred triumph 85-7 at Romford & Gidea Park.

Bennett’s quintet enabled the unbeaten league leaders to secure a seventh successive win in London Two North East.

But Bennett was thrilled to have played a prominent part in Rochford’s latest triumph.

“Scoring five tries was a brilliant feeling but it couldn’t have been done without the team sticking to the structure throughout the game,” said Bennett.

“It’s the most tries I’ve ever scored in a single game but we played excellently as a team.

“Romford were very powerful in the forwards and they are a very proud team at home.

“But we managed to adapt to that and added a lot of width in our attack.”

Rochford - who are now five points clear at the top of the table - opened the scoring with a try from Mark Billings.

The floodgates then opened as Tom Ashton went over with a great effort followed by Tom Corbet with a typical try.

The in-form Bennett then scored two tries in quick succession and Ashton added four conversions to put Rochford 38-7 ahead at half-time.

After the break, Rochford added eight more tries, with Billings scoring two more to complete his hat-trick.

Stuart Whatling, Sam Edwards and Tom Pickering all touched down along with Bennett, who bagged a trio of tries in the second half.

Ashton added three more conversions and so did skipper Matt Stewart to leave first team manager Graham Pratt full of smiles at the final whistle following another convincing win.

“Every player put in big performances but Luke Court-Rhind was outstanding in tight and loose,” said Pratt.

“Stuart Whatling was everywhere, Dan Sowter had a towering game, as did Ashton, Billings and Ricki Gould. David Rufai and debutant Dan Allison also impressed.

“I could mention every member of the side but in the end it was a very strong team performance with every player playing for each other and enjoyed doing so.”

Rochford - who have now scored 435 points in seven games - will be looking to extend their winning run when they host third placed Harlow at Magnolia Road this weekend.

Rochford Hundred: Billings, Edwards, Pickering, Stewart, Bennett, Ashton, Gould, Strachan, Corbet, Wiseman, Court-Rhind, Sowter, Whatling, Rufai, Kellard Replacements: Guess, Allison & White