SOUTHEND Saxons begin a tough-looking run of fixtures with a trip to high-flying Barnes tomorrow.

Saxons face the top three London & SE Premier Division teams in succession.

But Southend skipper Ian Morrison is not daunted by the challenge, despite his side sitting 12th in the 14 team table.

“It isn’t something we worry about,” said Morrison on the next few games.

“Rugby is a very simple game and league positions count for very little during 80 minutes.

“And, as we often see in this league, teams can beat anyone.”

A new-look Southend squad started the season with eight defeats in a row, but have now started to improve.

As a result, Saxons have triumphed four times in their last eight outings.

And Morrison was particularly pleased to have beaten Shelford 34-26 at Warners Bridge on Saturday.

“I thought it was a very good performance from everyone involved,” said Morrison.

“The preparation in the lead up to the game was one of the best we’ve had and that showed in the outcome.

“The win has definitely given the team an added edge and further bolstered our confidence with the remaining fixtures.”

Morrison is hoping that will prove key tomorrow and insists Southend can only take heart from their previous meeting with Barnes, which they eventually lost 27-15 at Warners Bridge back in September.

“The previous fixture was very close at times,” said Morrison.

“They will be a good team who are clinical.

“We will work to manage the game to limit their opportunities and manage momentum for ourselves.”

An away win would also boost Southend’s survival hopes as they currently lie 10 points behind Shelford, who sit immediately above the relegation zone.

However, Morrison is still confident Saxons can work their way out of trouble.

“The win was vitally important for us, at the weekend, to start getting us going in the right direction,” said Morrison.

“We are realistic in terms of what we can achieve but do feel we can move up the table and gain the points necessary for that.”

Barnes head into tomorrow’s game in third place having won their last four games.

Southend follow up Saturday’s match with a home meeting against table-topping Guernsey before heading to Tring, who are currently second in the standings.