ROCHFORD Hundred made sure of third place with a 26-14 win over Norwich on Saturday.

The match started in bright sunshine and it was the visitors who looked the livelier side as they raced over for an early converted try which acted as a wake up call to the slightly sluggish home team.

Stand off Tom Ashton responded to the challenge as he broke free to score and convert his own try.

The forwards began to apply pressure up front and, although not pretty, it was effective.

Hooker Matt Long found his jumpers Sam Tape, Ross Murphy and George Chipper with good accuracy which allowed scrum half James Forbes plenty of options to dictate play.

Playing his last home game as captain, Matt Norris took advantage of Rochford's superiority and crashed over after good driving play by the forwards.

With their noses in front Rochford were determined that was where they would stay and just before half time centre Danny Cleare finished off a good move to glide through the Norwich defence.

Ashton converted to bring the scoreline to 19-7 at the break and during the second half Norris powered over for his second try, which Ashton converted.

That made sure of the win but Norwich replied to score the final try of the match.

But it was not such an enjoyable afternoon for champions Westcliff as they were held to a 13-13 draw away at Brentwood.

Appalling weather conditions, some puzzling refereeing - which saw the second half last for 58 minutes - and a lack of several regulars in their side, meant Westcliff were up against it and it was Brentwood who scored first with an early try which was converted.

Westcliff winger Paul Radley outpaced the cover for an unconverted try on the left to make it 7-5 before a penalty extended Brentwood's lead even further.

They were again proving a tough nut to for Westcliff to crack and must have given home supporters hope when another penalty, this time under the posts, gave them a 13-5 lead.

However, Westcliff then started their comeback when Warren Duff landed a penalty goal for 13-8, and Radley again outpaced the defence for his second try to level it all square at 13-13.