SONNY Gay’s stunning late try sealed an impressive 40-24 triumph for Southend Saxons against Chinnor on the opening day of the National Two South season on Saturday.

The 25-year-old centre jinked his way past several opposing players down the left flank before touching down.

And Gay was delighted to help Southend kick off the new campaign in style with a well deserved win at Warners Bridge.

“The game was always going to be tough but we kept to what we set out to do and worked hard for each to end up with a good five point win against a strong Chinnor side,” said Gay.

“For me personally it’s always great to score tries and I just need to keep them coming because we can't have Harry Hudson being top try scorer again this year!”

Southend’s success followed an impressive pre-season campaign and signalled their intentions for the campaign ahead.

Last season, Saxons avoided relegation on points difference on the final day.

But Gay insists the team are now fully focused on enjoying a far more successful year while also playing a new brand of rugby.

“We haven't really thought about last year’s struggle at all, we’ve got a completely new structure of playing this year and it's exciting as everything we’re doing is really positive,” said Gay.

“We just want to push on after a good pre season and hopefully be a top of the table team.”

Southend were also forced to fight-back at the weekend as a penalty try which was converted by Mark Davies put Chinnor 7-0 ahead after 14 minutes.

However, Saxons’ fly-half Brad Burr hit back with a penalty and a try which he also converted to put the hosts 10-7 in front.

Chinnor replied with Andrew Berry touching down for a try Davies again converted but the effort sparked Southend back into life with full-back Iain Meads speeding through to score.

Burr kicked the conversion and also added a penalty to put Saxons 20-14 ahead at half-time.

Meads added another try two minutes into the second half before Sam Fombo also touched down after a well-worked move from a line-out.

Burr added a brilliant conversion in windy conditions before Chinnor replied with their own try from Tom Burns.

But a penalty from Burr, which took him to 20 points put Southend on the front-foot before Gay scored the try of the game.

Chinnor, who included former Southend star Joe Vandermolen in their starting line-up, hit back with a try from Alaifatu Fatialofa.

However, it was not enough to stop Saxons celebrating a fine start to the season.

Southend Saxons: Meads, Billings, Gay, Vaughan, Cleare, Burr, Daley, Bailey, Grier, Bevans-Royston, Needham, Barker, Fombo, Hudson, Twight

Replacements: Strachan, Day-White, Smith, Bennett & Branch