Southend Rugby Club's Chris Vaughan: Don't take victory at Barking for granted (From Echo)

Southend Rugby Club's Chris Vaughan: Don't take victory at Barking for granted

12:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport By Chris Phillips

SOUTHEND centre Chris Vaughan has told his team not to take victory for granted against bottom of the table Barking in National Two South tomorrow.

The Seasiders go in to the game with three wins in their last four outings, while Barking have triumphed just once in 22 matches all season.

But Vaughan feels Southend will have to be on form to maintain their recent upturn in results.

“We’ve been doing well lately but tomorrow’s game will be just as hard as all the others we’ve played,” said the Hadleigh based 23-year-old.

“Barking’s results have improved as well just recently and they will definitely be fired up for the game.

“There’s an Essex rivalry between the two teams and they will probably want to beat us more than any other side this season.

“With that in mind we have to play well and we certainly can’t afford to take them lightly.”

Despite that, Southend will be confident of securing another success as they attempt to continue their rise up the table.

Prior to the trio of victories, the Seasiders had suffered seven successive defeats.

But Vaughan feels having former England coach Dick Best joining the club’s management has played a huge part in the terrific turnaround.

“Having Dick Best with us has certainly made a difference and he has brought one or two things in to our game which are working,” said Vaughan “You don’t really know what to say when you’re around him and you certainly don’t want to muck up in front of him because if you do then he will definitely put you in his place.”

Best’s arrival has also allowed the club’s other coaches, Chris Green and Daniel Legge, to resume their playing careers.

And Vaughan, who scored two tries in Southend’s 55-14 triumph against Barking in November, feels that has had a positive impact on the team.

“They’ve brought massive experience to the team and have been a huge help,” said Vaughan.

“Having Leggey in has helped the line-out improve and hopefully we can keep the run of good results going.”

Southend’s improvements have seen them rise out of the relegation zone and as they chase another win this weekend full-back Rob Kirby is pushing for a start after making his debut in last Saturday’s 32-23 win against Bournemouth.

Back row Sam Fombo could also be back in the squad as the Seasiders look to secure their first away win since December 2011.