SOUTHEND Saxons scrum-half Rhys Powell is loving life back at Warners Bridge.

And he is aiming to make it even more enjoyable with a win at high-flying Bishop’s Stortford in National Two South on Saturday.

The experienced Powell opted to retire from rugby when leaving Southend four seasons ago.

But he opted to return to the club in September and is relishing resurrecting his career.

“Southend is the only club I would’ve come back for and I’ve really been enjoying it,” said the 37-year-old.

“When I retired three or four years ago I thought that would be it.

“I had been helping to coach at my old junior club Harlow and had played a bit there too.

“I was still doing that up until Chris Green (Southend’s director of rugby) gave me a ring and asked me to come back to the club.

“It was originally to help support the young players at the club in my position but now I find myself in the first team and I’m loving it again.”

Powell has won four of his eight games since returning to Southend but the side have struggled for consistency this season.

As a result, they are currently 13th in the 16 team table.

But Powell felt Saxons showed what they are truly capable of when beating third placed Taunton 18-8 last weekend.

And he now wants to build on that victory.

“It was a really good performance and it was a convincing win in the end too,” said Powell.

“It proved how well we can play and it was a great response from the defeat at Canterbury when we felt we had collectively let ourselves down.

“We had always been confident of being able to play like that but it again showed that we’re more than a match for anyone in this league and we want to show that again at the weekend.”

Bishop’s Stortford sit fourth in the table and have won of their last six games, meaning Powell is expecting another difficult afternoon against them.

“I know their head coach and a couple of their players so I know it will be a hard game for us too,” said the scrum half.

“But if we can play like we did last weekend then we will have a real chance.”

Saxons have second row Adam Ferrier available again this weekend but prop forward Aston Bevans-Royston is suspended.