SOUTHEND Saxons continued their encouraging pre-season campaign with a 36-33 win at Harrogate.

Iain Meads bagged a brace of tries in the victory which came after the Saxons had previously beaten Leicester Lions 33-31.

And Southend’s director of rugby Chris Green has been pleased with the progress being made ahead of the forthcoming National Two South side.

“I couldn’t really be any happier with how things have been going for us in pre-season,” said Green.

“I never think you can read too much into this time of year but Harrogate finished fourth in equivalent league as us in the north last season so they’re a good team.

“It’s encouraging that we’ve been able to beat them and there have certainly been some promising signs with the new lads fitting in really well.”

National Three London & SE side Westcliff were also victorious at the weekend, winning 24-22 at Amersham & Chiltern.

But the victory was marred by a serious injury to James Webster.

The back row broke his leg in the first minute of the match and has already undergone surgery which is likely to rule him out for the whole of the season.

London One North beat Windsor 45-7 while Rochford Hundred warmed up for the forthcoming London Two North East season with a 31-29 victory against Chingford.

Andrew Bevan scored two tries while Sam Edwards, Brett Smith and Charlie Downs also touched down.

Simon Ashton added three conversions.