ROCHFORD Hundred moved to within one point of the London Two North East title with a 45-10 victory at Epping Upper Clapton.

The triumph made it 19 league wins in a row for the unbeaten league leaders.

And Joseph Hurley, who was among Rochford’s try scorers, was pleased to have kept the good run going.

“The game wasn’t the best and a win is a win, even though we didn’t play as well as we can play,” said Hurley, who plays at number eight.

“We have only played one game in the last three weeks but it was good to get the result and we move onto the next game now.

“We will be up for that one. We’re trying not to drop a point throughout the whole league season but we’re still taking every game as it comes.”

Rochford started strongly at the weekend and went into an early lead when flanker Stuart Whatling sped through to score a try, which was converted by Steven Jay.

A number of Rochford attacks on the Epping line then came to nothing before the home side forced Rochford back to defend their line themselves.

However, a slack pass from defence was intercepted and Upper Clapton ran over to score a converted try to level matters.

Rochford responded with some fine attacking play which soon resulted in tries from Mark Billings, Craig Strachan and Hurley, one of which was converted by Jay.

Epping hit back with a penalty to cut Rochford’s lead to 24-10 at half-time, but the second period was much better for Hundred as they began to dictate play.

Three more tries - scored by Adam Ferrier, Mitchell Bennett and Sam Fombo, which were all converted by Jay - secured another victory for Rochford and kept them seven points clear at the top of the table.

Victory against Norwich at Magnolia Road a week on Saturday will now see Rochford crowned league champions.

Rochford Hundred: Billings, Bennett, Cleare, Johnson, Edwards, Needham, Jay, Strachan, Corbet, Ferrier, Court-Rhind, Fombo, Whatling, Rufai, Hurley Replacements: Ridgway, Allison & Gould