Woodford Under-15s lost 29-17 to first division side Rochford Hundred in a friendly on Sunday.

A sluggish start from the visitors allowed Rochford to break free for an early try, which was not converted.

Woodford found themselves on the back foot but brave defending from Arun Vaid, Haaris Sohoye, Dan Farrelly and man-of-the-match Will Carey helped keep the score 5-0.

With 12 minutes gone however, the hosts broke through again to lead 10-0 despite some bullish tackling from Sean Moore and Farrelly.

Woodford strove to get a score on the board and it arrived when a combination of Victor Chujor, Rhys Phillips and Sohoye enabled Farrelly to get the ball over the line for a deserved try.

The away team scored again four minutes later, as Farrelly crossed the whitewash after good work from Vaid and Toby Harrison. This time Alex Marks did add the extras and Woodford led 12-10.

Rochford responded well and restored their lead with another try before half-time but it was Woodford who started the second period the stronger.

Marks thought he had scored after retrieving Sohoye’s kick and putting the ball down but the referee didn’t give the try. To make matters worse, Rochford went up the other end and crossed immediately to make it 22-12.

Rochford stretched their lead even further after 55 minutes but Woodford deservedly reduced the deficit before full-time.

Farrelly and Mead exchanged passes on the Woodford right and the ball was moved to the left wing before Chujor picked up a pass to drive on for a deserved individual and team try. Marks hit the post from his difficult conversion.

Woodford Bs suffered a heavy 69-10 defeat away to Hackney Bulls.