ROCHFORD Hundred were punished for a “horror" period in their 45-34 defeat to Harpenden.

Rochford -who sit second from bottom in Regional One South East – ran their fourth placed visitors close at Magnolia Road.

But Hundred’s head coach Danny Cleare thought his side paid the price for a poor spell either side of half-time having previously been right in the contest.

“We played some really good rugby at times,” said Cleare.

“Our attack looked sharp and we were a threat whenever we had the ball.

“To score five tries against a team sitting fourth in the league was really positive.

“However scoring 34 points at home and still losing the game is obviously disappointing.

“We just had a horror five minute patch either side of half time where we conceded 21 points which was really frustrating because for all 21 points we were the team on the attack and it felt like we just gifted them points away.

“Whereas it feels like we have to earn every point we get.”

Rochford are now 12 points behind Tring who sit just above the drop zone.

And Cleare viewed Saturday’s game as a wasted opportunity.

“Although gaining a point is a move in the right direction we definitely felt that we could have taken more from it,” said Cleare.

“We now have a little rest this weekend before we take on the top two in Sudbury and Colchester.”