BRAD Burr held his nerve to fire Southend Saxons to a crucial last gasp 22-21 win against Launceston at Warners Bridge on Saturday.

The 22-year-old fly half successfully landed a penalty with the last kick of the game to secure a crucial National Two South victory for Saxons.

And Burr was delighted to see his effort sail between the sticks, having missed a similar effort against Shelford a couple of seasons ago.

“A few years ago I was in the exact same position but missed against Shelford and that did cross my mind when the penalty was awarded,” said Burr.

“But thankfully I was able to block it out and the kick went through.”

Burr’s successful penalty, which was 10 metres in front the right hand side on the 22 metre line, was his fourth effort of the afternoon.

And he was delighted to help Southend come out on top as they bid to stay above the relegation zone.

“It was massively important we won at the weekend,” said Burr.

“We've got a plan in place to make sure we can get the most out of the season and it started with Saturday’s match against Launceston.

“But it was still a little bit frustrating at the weekend as well. We started really well, and although we were drawing at half time, they had only scored through penalties and a knock on that landed straight in one of their player’s hands.

“The second half was completely different and on Saturday we need to focus on attacking the way we did – in a 20 minute spell against Launceston - for the whole game.”

Southend’s victory kept them 13th in the National Two South standings but they are now six points of Lyndey, who occupy the final relegation slot in the table.

The Saxons initially seemed set for a far more comfortable win at the weekend when prop forward Michael Guess touched down for his first try since returning to the club last month.

With 17 minutes on the clock, back row Adam Ferrier also went over for a try but Launceston soon got back in to the game with a penalty from full-back Kieron Lewitt.

Visiting centre Palepoi Nonu then bagged a try and Lewitt’s subsequent conversion made it 10-10.

After that, Burr and Lewitt traded penalties to ensure the two teams remained level at the break but Launceston went ahead for the first time when Ben Hilton dived over for a try at the start of the second half.

Burr replied with two more penalties to put Southend back in front but another kick from Lewitt made it 21-19 to Launceston with just seconds remaining.

However, with the very last kick of the game, Burr made sure of an important win for Saxons who now travel to seventh placed Cambridge on Saturday looking to pick up more points in their bid to beat the drop.

Southend Saxons: Meads, Driver, Nash, Vaughan, Cleare, Burr, Taylor, Fardell, Bloomberg, Guess, Legge, Fombo, Ferrier, Kellard, Hudson

Replacements: Shields, Bevans-Royston, Bedding, Smith & Gay