In a scrappy and disjointed match spoilt by too many stoppages Rochford allowed Diss off the hook in the last quarter and they took full advantage to finish clear winners.

For the majority of this error strewn contest there was nothing in it and the home side could argue that they were, perhaps, the more inventive side.

Unfortunately as in many games this season that is not enough to win and when chances appear the opposition seem to take them whereas Rochford do not.

Two late converted tries saw the Norfolk side through and collect a bonus point as well.

The match started so well for the home team when second row Jack Pearce forced his way over for a try after some quick and decisive play by Rochford. Kit Branch added the two points and the boys looked good value for it.

Diss are a big, strong outfit and they used their forwards and backs to good advantage with ball in hand and because the game suffered from a number of basic errors and infringements the referee’s whistle was very evident.

This was more to the advantage of the away side who were able to slow the game down when required and use their bulky backs to penetrate the Rochford defence.

This was done to good effect when their full back broke through to score a try and reduce the deficit.During the first half Rochford were certainly the better team and created a number of chances but either robust Diss defence, poor finishing or the referee’s whistle frustrated them.

A Branch penalty kick was the only other score before half time and 10- 5 lead looked reasonable for Rochford to build on in the second half.

As has been the case during this season Rochford failed to keep up the tempo for the full 80 minutes which is crucial in this league.

Diss put the squeeze on and were rewarded with a try after some good driving by their big forwards and was duly converted to give them the lead for the first time at 10-12.

There still seemed plenty of time left for Rochford to reply and they attacked Diss at every opportunity winning quick ball through the backs and aggressive forward driving but, again, wrong options or the inevitable stoppage put paid to any momentum they built up.

The match became a very frustrating affair which drifted into the last quarter and both sides waited for a breakthrough.

The home team’s cause was not helped by a Rochford forward being yellow carded during this period reducing them down to 14 men although to their credit they reacted well to keep Diss on the back foot and almost scored .

It was the visitors however that put paid to any notions of a Rochford victory or even a losing bonus point when they scored a converted try against the run of play and late in the game scored another converted try to finish off.

A poor quality game, with Rochford once more on the receiving end of a lesson in finishing. Some good performances from a few players such as Adam Ashton, filling in at stand-off, but the team know that they did not raise their game when needed.

Rochford will have to respond to this setback next week at North Walsham and I am sure they will do so.