ROCHFORD Hundred returned to winning ways with a derby day success against Westcliff.

Rochford triumphed 28-17 in the National League South clash at Magnolia Road.

And Hundred’s head coach Danny Cleare felt it was another memorable afternoon for the club.

“To get the win against Westcliff is big for the club and big for the members,” said Cleare.

“In the last week our 3’s beat their 3’s, our 2’s beat their 2’s and now our 1’s beat their 1’s so it’s nice to have bragging rights for a few months.”

However, Cleare did not feel it was the best of the matches to watch.

“The game itself wasn’t the best in terms of running rugby such were the wet conditions but it was your typical derby match played with aggression and intensity,” said Cleare.

“In such difficult conditions it was nice to get the maximum five points out of the game and give the supporters an early Christmas present.”

The victory keeps Rochford 14th in the table.

But Cleare felt it was important to get back to winning ways before the Christmas break.

“We were on a run of about seven or eight losses in a row so it was important to get that win as we felt we should have won three of the previous defeats that we’ve had,” said Cleare.

“Hopefully we can use that win to kick start 2022 and go and beat Guernsey away at the start of January now.”

Rochford took the lead with an early try from Robert Gardner which was converted by Chris Dudman before the hosts were also awarded a penalty try.

After the break, Westcliff hit back with a try from Greg Bannister which he also converted before adding a penalty to cut the hosts’ lead to 14-10.

However, Damien Brambley put Rochford further ahead with a try in the 71st minute which Dudman converted before George Elliott made sure of the win with a try Dudman was also able to convert.

Westcliff replied at the death with Jack Hogarth scoring a try Bannister converted but it was not enough to stop them suffering a 15th successive defeat.

But Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton was pleased with aspects of the performance.

“It was a committed and closely fought contest which might have gone either way, but which Rochford seized through better execution at the important moments,” said Compton.

“We failed to win the game because one aspect of our performance was inadequate.

“That’s disappointing and frustrating but also there is no need to scratch our heads and wonder what went wrong because a problem known can be fixed. It was the last game of the year and the first half of a challenging season is complete. It has been tough with some self-evident lows and some less obvious but welcome highs. Quite what 2022 will bring and when remains to be seen.”