Rochford Hundred slumped back in to the relegation zone after a disappointing 37-18 defeat at Chingford.

Rochford impressed against second placed Letchworth Garden City last weekend.

But they were nowhere near those standards this time around.

In a dire first quarter, Chingford took apart an out-of-sorts Rochford to go 18-0 up with two penalties, two tries and one conversion before the visitors responded with any positive rugby.

Gradually Rochford decided to do something and number eight James Needham broke through to score a try which Kit Branch converted.

Chingford then scored another converted try before a period of good play by Rochford was rewarded with two successful penalty kicks from Branch to cut the home side’s lead to 25-13 at the break.

However, from the restart Chingford scored again with a try. But more positive play by Rochford saw second row Richard Mott drive over for a try.

That was as good as it got for the Magnolia Road team though, even when Chingford were reduced to 13 men after yellow card offences.

At 30-18 there was still a good chance of getting something from the match. But Rochford just did not seem to have their hearts in it and even a losing bonus point seemed a long way off.

In the end a spirited Chingford outfit, put the result beyond doubt with another converted try.

That infuriated first team manager Graham Pratt and he admitted some harsh words were said at the final whistle.

“After the game head coach Mark Sexton made his thoughts of the Rochford effort plain in no uncertain terms and one can only hope the boys will take his and Andy Lipscombe’s comments very seriously,” said Pratt.

“We only four games left now and it is now crunch time so we need to make it happen.”

Rochford suffered a blow as relegation rivals North Walsham won 55-29 at Eton Manor to move above them in the table.