ROCHFORD Hundred went second in the London & SE Premier Division standings with a hard-fought 19-16 win at Brighton.

With fellow promotion rivals Wimbledon not playing, second-placed Rochford are now just a point behind table-topping Guersney.

And Lewis Brunger - who scored two tries in Rochford’s win - was pleased to grind out another win on the road.

“The game was tough but we ground it out in the end,” said Brunger.

“If we had cut out a few sloppy mistakes it could have been a bit more comfortable and we could have scored more points but it was still very pleasing to get the win.

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle going there but we were still able to come away with four points on the road so we have to be pleased.”

And Brunger was also happy to play a prominent part in the victory with his tries against their Sussex hosts who sit second from bottom in the table.

“It’s always nice to get over the line,” said Brunger.

“The first one was a well set maul and a forwards try really and the second was a 40 metre intercept beating about five defenders!”

Prop forward Todd Bailey also touched down for a try during Saturday’s success while Cameron Greenhall added two conversions to ensure another victory for Rochford.

Hundred are still well set to secure a third successive promotion.

But Brunger will be hungry for another victory when Rochford head to fourth-placed Hertford this weekend in their final outing of 2019.

“It’s hugely important we carry on the momentum,” said Brunger.

“We’ve got another tough away fixture this week and tough fixtures for the next month after the new year but we’re excited by the challenge and what we’re trying to achieve.

“It’s still all to play for at the top and it’s still in our own hands too which is pleasing but we’re in for some difficult games and we have to be ready for them, starting with Saturday against Hertford.”

Rochford Hundred: Billings, W Ferrier, Brambley, Hudson, Cleare, Greenhall, Gould, Bailey, A Ferrier, Bevans-Royston, Brunger, Douglas, Kellard, Strachan, Duaibe

Replacements: Mills, Dudman & Shields