CHRIS Shields felt Rochford Hundred produced one of the ‘better performances of the season’ to see off CS Stags 1863 47-5.

The victory saw second-placed Rochford stay level on points with table-topping Guernsey.

And Shields was thrilled to see Hundred secure a 12th successive victory.

“Saturday’s game was one of our better performances of the season,” said Shields, who was among the try scorers for Rochford.

“We had specific targets to hit and we got the job done.

“We were very pleased to get the bonus point and that keeps us level on points with Guernsey too.”

Rochford suffered a shock 27-26 defeat against the Stags at Magnolia Road back in November but they got their own back at the weekend with a dominant display.

Adam Ferrier bagged two tries for Rochford in the victory while Mark Billings, Todd Bailey, Ricki Gould and Lewis Brunger also touched down, along with Shields.

Cameron Greenhall added six conversions and Shields feels the push for promotion could go right down to the wire.

“The race for promotion is definitely very tight and it is going to be vital to get every available point left in the season to clinch first place,” said Shields.

“It’s going to be a hard last few games but if we continue to play as well as we are we believe we can do it but it’s likely to go right until the final day.”

Rochford, who are looking for a third successive promotion, remain second in the standings on points difference but are now not back in action until Saturday, March 21, when they host Dorking.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Southend Saxons’ trip to rock bottom Ruislip was called off because of the wet weather and they remain eighth in the standings.

In London One South, Thurrock suffered a disappointing 22-10 defeat at home to London Cornish and stay ninth in the table.

In London Two North East, South Woodham Ferrers dug deep to win 12-5 at second-placed Southwold.

The victory saw Woodham move up to seventh in the table.

In London Three Essex, struggling Basildon lost 38-0 at Old Cooperians but, with their relegation rivals suffering points deductions, they are now 10th.