RUGBY: Rochford Hundred are facing a huge clash at Bedford Athletic on Saturday.

Rochford sit second from bottom in the Regional One South East standings, one place and eight points behind their hosts who sit just above the drop zone.

And Hundred’s head coach Danny Cleare insists there is no denying just how significant Saturday’s clash could be.

“It’s hugely important,” said Cleare.

“Anything other than maximum points just won’t do.”

Rochford do still have a game in hand on Bedford but will head into the game on the back of a disappointing 30-7 defeat at Hertford last weekend.

“Saturday was a missed opportunity,” said Cleare.

We played up the hill against the wind first half and defended heroically all half.

“We even managed to get over for a try with only minutes to go which put us 7-3 in front.

“Unfortunately we undid our hard work with one minute to play.

“From the kick off, we dropped the ball and from the scrum conceded first phase to go in behind 8-7 which was frustrating because the boys deserved more.

"This seemed to galvanise Hertford and they came out the blocks a lot better than us in the second half and started to get on top.

“It was definitely disappointing to lose and fall further behind in the league.”

Bottom of the table Westcliff host fifth placed Harpenden this weekend.

In Counties Two Essex (South), third placed Billericay host fourth placed Kings Cross Steelers while fifth placed Canvey Island are at home to bottom of the table Barking.