Holt suffered another disappointing result after allowing a much improved first half performance to be overshadowed by a well below-par second half when they conceded 25 points.

Holt suffered another disappointing result after allowing a much improved first half performance to be overshadowed by a well below-par second half when they conceded 25 points.

Bruce van Poortvielt returned to his favoured position at scrum-half for the visitors and was instrumental in the three tries which gave Holt a comfortable lead at half-time.

Ten minutes into the game Holt kicked into the opposition corner following a penalty. No 8 Woods rose high in the line-out and released the ball immediately to van Poortvielt. The No 9 broke through Rochford's first line of defence and fed Graham Ilsley who put away Hal Riley to score near to the posts, with Ben Harvey converting.

Holt began to dominate although Rochford came close with a penalty attempt by Robert Prior. After 20 minutes Robbie Gray broke through and fed van Poortvielt whose well placed kick was collected by captainJames Riley for a try in the corner to make it 0-12.

Rochford hit back immediately with a strong driving maul which enabled them to release their speedy centre Dieu-De-Bellafontaine who scored a try which was converted by Prior. At this stage the Holt forwards continued to produce good clean ball for van Poortvielt, allowing him to squeeze over the line for the visitors' third try which was converted by Harvey to make the half-time score a healthy looking 7-19.

Immediately after the restart Rochford conceded a penalty which was converted by Harvey to increase Holt's lead. It now looked as if the visitors were on course for a comfortable win but they had not bargained for Rochford's grit and determination not to lose this game.

The home side's forwards soon increased their score with a push-over try. Although Prior failed to convert, within minutes he slotted over a penalty to bring the score to 15-22. With 10 minutes to go Holt were holding on but slack defending allowed Rochford's speedy winger Sam Edwards to score under the posts. A successful conversion by Prior drew the scores level.

Rochford sealed their bonus point win with a fourth try in extra-time which was scored and converted by Prior who added a further penalty to make the final score 32-22.

The Woofordes man-of-the-match for Holt was Sandy Shanklin for his performance at wing-forward.

• Lowestoft & Yarmouth suffered their fourth successive heavy defeat in London 3NE, although at least they managed to get some points on board at the weekend as they went down 54-7 at home to East London.

After winning their first three games Southwold have now lost two on the trot after a 34-26 reverse at Harlow.