ROCHFORD Hundred’s unbeaten start to the season ended with a 21-17 defeat at Chelmsford.

Hundred went into the game on the back of two successive defeats.

But they were brought firmly back down to earth in a very close and competitive encounter against their old rivals.

Playing down the sloping pitch in the first half, Rochford had to defend against some aggressive running by Chelmsford and were forced to give away a penalty that full back Holt slotted over for a three-point lead.

But the home side’s lead only lasted a few minutes before Tom Ashton kicked a penalty of his own after some good pressure from Rochford.

In spite of Chelmsford’s strong and sometimes overzealous defence the Rochford forwards produced enough good ball for scrum half Daniel Bracknell to give Ashton chances to create a number of attacks with quick hands and deft kicking.

This led to his team getting the breakthrough they wanted when the strong running Michael Stemp crashed over for a try which Ashton converted.

Chelmsford kicked another penalty to narrow Rochford’s lead to 10-6 at the break.

And from the restart the home side seemed to show a more determined attitude which resulted in them going 14-10 in front.

Rochford replied with full-back Dan Needham splitting the Chelmsford defence to create a try for Ashton which he also converted to put Hundred 17-14 ahead.

Hundred remained on top but were unable to turn that pressure into more points.

The home side were then able to break away and spent many minutes pounding their opponents’ try-line.

But instead of looking to clear their lines, Rochford tried to run the ball out of defence and that proved fatal as the ball went loose and enabled Chelmsford to bag a converted try which sealed the match in their favour.