HARRY Hudson was finally able to claim a try in Southend’s clash against Taunton on Saturday but the second row was unable to stop his side suffering a 44-33 defeat.

Hudson touched down during the second half at Warners Bridge.

And, having missed out on two previous efforts, he was pleased to be finally be credited with a try.

“That was actually my third try of the season but Marcus Bloomberg stole one off me and Todd Bailey did likewise for another,” said Hudson, 21.

“I think it’s a front row thing but nobody took my one away at the weekend, which was good.

“But it didn’t really matter too much in the end because we lost.

“It was like a game of basketball as we took it in turns to score, but it’s one we let slip away and will look back on at the end of the season.”

Despite the defeat, Southend started well and went 7-0 up with a try from Mark Billings which was converted by Brad Burr.

Taunton replied with a penalty from James Forrester and Southend should then have extended their lead when Burr’s crafty kick teed up Billings, only for him to be pulled back by a rival player, without the officials noticing.

Taunton immediately capitalised on their good fortune to score a try of their own with scrum half Stuart Townsend touching down and Forrester converting to make it 10-7.

But the Seasiders replied from the re-start with quick hands led to winger Danny Cleare scoring.

Burr added the conversion to make it 14-10 but the match then swayed back towards Taunton with a try from number eight Daniel Lee putting them back in front.

A penalty from Forrester and a try from flanker Sam Skinner which was converted by Forrester put Taunton 25-14 ahead at half-time.

Changes were made by Southend at the break and a try from Hudson reduced Taunton’s lead to just six points.

But the visitors did not panic and soon extended their advantage with a try from second row Benjamin Turner.

However, Southend continued to have most of the play and a try from the returning Craig Strachan, plus Burr’s resulting conversion cut Taunton’s lead to 30-26.

The visitors replied with a try from prop Mark Manton which Forrester converted but the Seasiders refused to give in and scored a try of their own from Todd Bailey.

Burr’s conversion made it 37-33 before Southend chose not to kick a penalty within range and opted to instead go for a try.

That proved unsuccessful and Taunton soon sped up field to score the game’s final try which Forrester converted to seal the win.