NORBERTAS Radzevicius bagged a crucial late try as Southend Saxons kept their survival hopes alive with a dramatic 20-17 win at Dorking.

The victory was Southend’s fourth in their last five National Three London & SE games.

And Radzevicius was delighted to ensure another triumph for his team.

“Getting the winning try was great,” said the 18-year-old.

“The sensation and the achievement felt great knowing we were in a winning position just a few minutes out from the final whistle.

“The whole team were definitely proud and I was just as proud of the team for the work they put in throughout the whole game.

“The win is really important for us now as we still need to carry on with everything we’re doing.

“With all the work that’s happening around the club, I’m pleased to have started at the weekend and without the help from where I started in the mini and youth sides, the coaching and help and belief from all parents around the club, it wouldn’t have occurred.”

Southend remain 12th in the standings, three points from safety.

But they were forced to fight back from 17-7 down to secure their latest success after enduring a sloppy start to the contest.

“As the game started it felt sluggish with many mistakes being made by both sides,” said the Seevic College student.

“However, throughout the later stages of the game we played rugby in the right areas and had some really great defensive work which was a definite struggle for Dorking to work against.

“That was really important and getting the win on the road will definitely help the team with confidence and determination to play well and get the points we need to stay in the league.”

Dorking drove over for the first try of the game before Southend hit back with winger Ross O’Brien dotting down and Bradley Burr adding the conversion.

The score stayed 7-7 at half-time but Dorking regained the lead with a penalty at the start of the second half before a converted try put the home team 17-7 in front with 25 minutes of the match remaining.

Southend began their comeback with a penalty from Burr before the Saxons pack got a shove on and the ball came back to scrum-half Ricki Gould who flew around the blindside to jump over the line for a try.

Southend continued to push for a vital late score with Danny Cleare offloading to Radzevicius, who sped down the touch-line and dodged his way past two challenges to score in the corner and secure a dramatic and much needed victory.

Southend Saxons: Cleare, Radzevicius, Ngaluafe, Vaughan, O’Brien, Burr, Gould, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bailey, Court-Rhind, Smith, Fombo, Shields, Kellard