HEAD coach Danny Cleare felt Southend Saxons produced their best performance of the season to beat Shelford 25-0 at Warners Bridge on Saturday.

The victory moved Saxons to within two points of Chichester, who sit just above the National Three London & SE relegation zone.

And Cleare, who was among Southend’s try scorers, was delighted by the display.

“Saturday was without doubt our best and most complete performance of the season,” said Cleare.

“Our set piece was outstanding, we played rugby in the right areas and we looked after the ball and built pressure.

“Our defence was also immaculate.

“They didn’t have one line break the entire game and never looked like scoring.”

In contrast. Southend looked lively going forward and Cleare was thrilled to see two of the youngsters he coaches at Seevic Collegs - George Griffiths and Norbetas Radzevicius - both scoring tries.

“It’s great to see the boys doing well and they are both there on merit,” said Cleare.

“They both work extremely hard and are in good form.

“George has been a regular for us recently and is arguably our most potent player, he is a natural finisher and so reliable.

“Bert on the other hand is a more recent addition, coming off the bench in the last few weeks and the try will do his confidence a world of good.

“He is another lad who knows how to finish and can toast people if you give him the ball in space.

“From a Seevic point of view it’s great to keep seeing our programme produce these sorts of players and the comprehensive fixture list we have is obviously preparing them well for adult rugby.”

Southend’s victory was their third in four games but Cleare knows the good run must continue if Saxons are to beat the drop.

“The next two games are vital against mid table teams,” said Cleare.

“We go into April knowing we need to probably pick off one or two of the top teams but 2017 has started really well for us in terms of our home games and we remain unbeaten.

“But now it’s important we do it on the road, and it’s a must win in terms of our survival in this league.”

Southend went in front with a try from Marcus Bloomberg at the weekend before Griffiths also touched down for the third game in succession.

Tries from Cleare and Radzevicius made sure of a bonus point victory while Brad Burr added a conversion and a penalty.

Southend Saxons: Meads, Griffiths. Cleare, Vaughan, O’Brien, Burr, Gould, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bailey, Court-Rhind, Fombo, Shields, Kellard, Legge Replacements: Forster-Knight, Smith & Radzevicius