NATIONAL TWO SOUTH

Cambridge 36, Southend Saxons 15

SOUTHEND Saxons’ relegation from National Two South was finally confirmed with a 36-15 defeat at table-topping Cambridge on Saturday.

Southend’s struggles had made dropping out of the league a foregone conclusion in the past fortnight.

But they more than matched high-flying Cambridge for long periods at the weekend which makes relegation even more frustrating for centre Tom Ashton.

“The game was a great game to be involved in, the commitment and desire everyone showed was a credit to us and for an hour we were more than a match for a team that are top of the league which makes relegation more frustrating, “ said Ashton, who scored a try in the defeat.

“On our day we are a very good side but we will regroup over the summer and come out fresh and firing for the next challenge.

“It's important that we bounce back as Southend is a proud club with a long history and everyone involved believes we should be a national league club.”

In stark contrast, Cambridge are now just six points away from taking the title and they opened the scoring at the weekend with a try from Ben Adams.

But Southend hit back and were soon awarded a penalty try which was converted by Brad Burr before Ashton scampered in at the corner to score a try.

Cambridge replied with Albert Portsmouth scoring his 26th try of the season to put the home-side 14-12 in front at half-time.

A penalty from Burr put Southend back in front at the start of the second half but Cambridge then started to show the class which seems certain to result in them winning promotion.

The home-side ran in a further four tries to secure their 24th victory of the season.

However, the Saxons – who still have two games left this term – will now be lining up in National Three London & SE next year.

Southend Saxons: Meads, Billings, Ashton, Vaughan, Haile, Burr, Daly, Strachan, Day-White, Bevans-Royston, Barker, Chesney, Bailey, Morrison, Smith

Replacements: Fardell, Kirkbride, Whatling, Taylor & Wood