DANNY Cleare felt Saturday’s 40-19 win at Amersham & Chiltern showed Southend Saxons are starting to move in the right direction.

The victory was Southend’s second in succession in National Three London & SE.

And Cleare, who was among the try scorers, was happy to have helped Chris Green’s side secure a bonus point win.

“Saturday was a sign we are moving in the right direction and that the new players are settling in,” said Cleare.

“We added more width to our game and looked threatening every time we attacked.

“There are still areas we need to improve on, such as too many penalties, and at times we are too loose with the ball.

“We also need to implement our exit strategies more effectively but it was good to get the win.”

The victory moved Southend up to sixth in the table.

And Cleare hopes Saxons can continue to work their way up the standings.

“We obviously want promotion but we know if we want to achieve that then we need to keep making improvements,” said the winger.

“For myself, personally, it was nice to score a try at the weekend and hopefully there can be more to come now to help the team.”

Southend went in front with a try from centre Tyrone Ngaluafe, which was converted by Tom Ashton.

Moments later, scrum half Ross O’Brien also touched down and Ashton’s conversion put the Saxons 14-0 in front.

With Southend remaining on top, Cleare then also worked his way onto the score-sheet and Ashton was again able to add the extras.

But, after the break, Amersham stepped things up with the wind behind them and they bagged their first points of the game when centre Jonny Hughes breached Southend’s defence for a converted try.

Amersham remained on top and soon scored their second try of the afternoon.

However, Saxons were soon able to get themselves going with a fine try which saw Potu Leavasu charge through several challenges before teeing up full-back Gary Andrews to score.

Ashton again added the conversion before Southend stretched their lead with another try from Ngaluafe.

Amersham responded with a try at the death but by then Southend’s victory had long been secured.

Saxons will now be looking to make it three wins in a row but they face a tough-looking test on Saturday as they host table-topping Wimbledon, who have already scored 102 points this term.

Southend Saxons: Andrews, Cleare, Ngalule, Vaughan, Wiltshire, Ashton, O’Brien, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bailey, Court-Rhind, Leavasa, Morrison, Shields, Legge Replacements: Day-White, Gould.