NATIONAL TWO SOUTH

Dorking 39, Southend Saxons 26

MARCUS Bloomberg bagged his first try of the season but was unable to stop Southend Saxons suffering a crucial 39-26 defeat at fellow strugglers Dorking on Saturday.

The setback left second from bottom Southend nine points from safety with four games to go.

But Bloomberg insists Saxons will keep on fighting for their National Two South future.

“It's not mathematically certain we are going down but at the moment we are not doing ourselves any favours,” said Bloomberg, who lined up at hooker.

“However, there are four games left and we plan to do all we can to fight to stay in this league.”

Southend have now been beaten in five of their last six games.

And Bloomberg was frustrated to suffer another setback at Dorking who are immediately above the Saxons in the standings.

“I was very disappointed in the game,” said Bloomberg.

“We didn't perform to the ability that we are capable of and we got punished for it.”

That meant Bloomberg took little satisfaction from his try, even though it did secure Southend a bonus point.

“It’s the result that matters more than anything else,” stressed Bloomberg.

“The try did mean we came away with one point but I'm not sure whether it will play any importance to where we finish, only time will tell.

“But we’re at home to Bury St Edmunds on Saturday and that’s a must win game.

“For us to get the result we have to do more and play to the ability I know we can reach.

“We need to do the same to secure a place in this league for next season too.”

Southend initially started the game brightly on Saturday but refused to kick points, instead going for the corners.

However, a determined Dorking defence kept them at bay and they hit back to race into an 18-0 lead.

In reply, Iain Meads got Southend off the mark with an unconverted try but the hosts hit back with an interception from Armand Roux allowing Benji Marlo to touch down.

Southend responded with a penalty try which was converted by Tom Ashton to cut Dorking’s lead to 25-12 before the home-side restored a 20 point cushion with a try from George Jackson.

Saxons continued to fight with skipper Mark Billings touching down but Dorking immediately bagged an effort of their own before Bloomberg’s try completed the scoring late on.

Southend Saxons: Meads, Billings, Ashton, Vaughan, Cleare, Burr, Daly, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bevans-Royston, Smith, Twight, Bailey, Hudson, Fombo

Replacements: Day-White, Chesney, Morrison, Haile & Hoadley