MILLWALL’S second-half fight back at Essex Division 1 rivals Maldon proved too little too late, with the visitors losing 50-12.

Millwall’s second-half fight back at Essex Division 1 rivals Maldon proved too little too late, with the visitors losing 50-12.

The hosts blitzed Millwall with a string of tries - including four in just 20 minutes - during a first-half which saw the east Londoners fail to score.

Millwall manager Carl Burnett rallied his players at the break and after the restart Darryl Gera and debutant winger Adam Shields both touched down.

Fly-half Mike Foulds added to the tally by successfully kicking one of the two conversions, but it was not enough as Millwall were comfortably beaten.

“In the first-half we were not really switched on,” said boss Burnett.

“They scored four tries in about 20 minutes and a few heads dropped. We had a chat at half-time and we played a lot better in the second-half.”

Burnett added that Millwall players must keep training hard to compete in Essex’s top rugby division.

“There were a few fitness issues,” he said.

“I think the players know themselves that we have to keep building.”

Elsewhere, Millwall’s second and fourth teams also suffered away defeats at Upminster and Standford-le-Hope respectively.

The club’s second team were forced to cancel their fixture.