ROCHFORD Hundred suffered a 25-15 defeat at Letchworth Garden City despite producing an improved performance.

Rochford have now been beaten in their last six games.

But head coach Danny Cleare thought Hundred should have avoided defeat on Saturday.

"It was a much improved performance and unfortunately one we should have won," said Cleare.

"We had a very poor start and conceded two very weak tries, both from us coughing up the ball.

"One a break away from us attacking and dropping the ball, and the next a ball flying out the side of the ruck near our try line which they just dived on.

"We then conceded a push over try to find ourselves 22-0 down which was really disappointing and not a true reflection of the half.

"Two of the three tries were really avoidable and against the run of play, and we also dropped two over their line so to be 22-0 down was frustrating."

However, Rochford did start to fight back in the second half.

"The second half we dominated and scored three quick tries but missed all our conversions," said Cleare.

"To be within seven points with 20 minutes to go and, with all the momentum, we really felt we would go on to win it but it wasn’t to be."

But Rochford were again not helped by their long lost of unavailable players.

"Losing Josh Cavey on the Friday night and then Craig Strachan in the warm up added to our frustration and was far from ideal," said Cleare.

"We also look like we have suffered another potential long term injury to Chris Dudman who was carried off the field at the end.

"Our thoughts are with him and wish him well with his recovery."

Rochford are now second from bottom in Regional One South East, two points above Westcliff.