FIT-AGAIN prop forward Aston Bevans-Royston was a happy man after helping Southend Saxons secure their first victory of the season.

The Saxons beat Dings Crusaders 52-14 at Warners Bridge having started the National Two South season with two straight defeats.

And Bevans-Royston, who missed the end of the previous campaign with a broken arm, was delighted to see the Saxons get back on track.

“It's feels great to get the win,” said the 24-year-old.

“All the boys have been working really hard in training and we knew things were going to take a little bit of time to gel.

“But now it feels as though it's coming together nicely.

“The confidence has always been there because we have a really talented group.

“Things just hadn't been going our way but it all clicked nicely on Saturday and we never gave them a chance.”

Southend started brightly and the early pressure paid off when Harry Hudson opened the scoring with a try.

Brad Burr added the conversion and then did likewise in the 10th minute after new full-back Ian Meads had also touched down.

Dings cut Southend's lead to 14-7 with a converted try from James Oakley but the Saxons were soon back on top thanks to a penalty try and Tom Ashton's first effort of the season, both of which Burr converted.

Southend's lead was extended even further at the start of the second half when Bevans-Royston touched down.

Dings hit back with replacement Jake Polledri breaking through through to score a try which was again converted by Mark Woodrow.

However, the visitors' hopes of a comeback were shortlived as James Kellard, who is also claiming Bevans-Royston's try, charged through to score.

Burr again added the extras and Southend continued to pile on the pressure.

Replacement winger Billy Driver was next to score in the 71st minute and Burr added the conversion.

Burr, who switched to centre to take on Dings, then completed the scoring and a memorable afternoon for himself with the final try of the game.

Southend will now be looking to build on the win and Bevans-Royston, who was named as club’s official man of the match, cannot wait to take on second placed Henley this weekend.

“We've got to take this win in to the game against a good Henley team now,” said the former Thurrock man.

“We're learning from every game and growing as a team.

“There's a great buzz about Southend at the minute, so we're looking forward to the next challenge.”

Southend: Meads, Nash, Burr, Vaughan, Billings, Ashton, Powell, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bevans-Royston, Chesney, Douglas, Ferrier, Kellard, Hudson

Replacements: Pollard, Driver, Fardell, Shields, Meaden & Branch