NATIONAL TWO SOUTH


Southend Saxons...................................50
Lydney...................................................13

 

TOM Ashton bagged 25 points to help Southend Saxons hammer Lydney 50-13 in National Two South on Saturday.

The 31-year-old fly-half kicked four penalties, four conversions and also bagged a try as Saxons secured their second win of the season at Warners Bridge.

And Ashton was delighted to ensure the Saxons got back on track.

“It was very important to get the win that we needed and the manner that we achieved the victory was also excellent,” said Ashton.

“I was very pleased with my performance too but every man did what was asked of them and it showed in the result and performance especially the second half.”

Southend’s win moved them up to 12th in the table and came after they had been beaten in five of their last six games.

But Ashton insisted he was always confident of Saxons turning things back around.

“It was important to get back on track but we weren't panicking,” said the former Rochford Hundred man.

“We tweaked our structure during the week which allowed us quicker ball to attack with and exploit the space which fast ball creates.

“It worked well and we will go in to the Worthing game with more confidence now and every chance of getting a result to build some momentum.”

Despite the final score-line, it was Lydney who started strongly and raced into an 8-0 lead thanks to a try from Anthony Wicks and a drop goal from Bradley Barnes.

But Southend soon replied and, 20 minutes later, they led 11-8 thanks to two penalties from Ashton and a try from number eight Harry Hudson.

Saxons continued to attack and with Chris Vaughan and David Jackson both scoring tries which were converted by Ashton they led by 17 points at the break.

After the interval, Hudson bagged his second try of the game before Ashton added another penalty and then converted a try of his own to make it 40-8.

Billy Driver then also touched down for Southend before Lydney hit back five minutes from time with Joshua Innes scoring a consolation try.

Saxons welcomed back fit-again player coach Chris Green for the final five minutes for his first appearance since last pre-season.

But fittingly it was Ashton who had the final say with another well taken penalty.

Southend: Cleare, Billings, Nash, Vaughan, Driver, Ashton, Powell, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bevans-Royston, Chesney, Jackson, Ferrier, Kellard, Hudson Replacements: Rosewell, Shields, Burr, Branch & Green