London 2 North East Ipswich 5 Rochford 59 Ipswich were at full strength again as they faced a very strong Rochford Hundred squad who are already shaping up to be the stand out team in the division this season.

Rochford were strong and controlled in all phases and scored after only two minutes from a driving maul after securing a lineout deep in the Ipswich 22, Adam Ferrier touched down and Tom Ashton converted to add two points.

With secure possession from scrum and line-out Rochford continued to press Ipswich, yielding two scores in quick succession with a centre break converted by lock Carl Rind and a try wide right by Whatling, with one of these converted Rochford were 19 up after only 11 minutes played.

Ipswich drove forward into the Rochford 22 and held Rochford at bay for period but in the end they conceded ball too easily to allow Rochford to break forward and full-back Billings scored Rochford’s fourth try on 30 minutes.

Billings added another before the break, and it was 31-0 Rochford at the half.

Rochford’s Pickering scored on 47 minutes before David Rubai, on 50 minutes, and Stewart, on 55 minutes put the game way oput of reach for the Suffolk side.

To their credit Ipswich fought on and attacked strongly through Adam Pickering and Christophe Blom deep into the Rochford 22. However, Rochford pressed Ipswich back again and man of the match Craig Strachan picked up a loose ball and sprinted clear to score another a final Rochford try on 76 minutes.

But Ipswich drove back at Rochford immediately and their commitment and passion paid off with a well-deserved try on 78 minutes from Gwyn Church.

Ipswich captain Pickering felt reasonably positive despite the score. He said: “This was another spirited performance from us, we are clearly disappointed with the result, but all credit to Rochford who were very strong and well organised and are already set up to move on to the next level.”

Nick Greenhall added: “Although we lost to a side who were technically and physically stronger we can take away some real positives from the way we finished.”