1:30pm Friday 12th March 2010
SOUTHEND Rugby Club’s centre Chris Vaughan is aiming to maintain his good run of form when the Seasiders head to Dings Crusaders tomorrow.
The 20-year-old former King John School pupil has scored five tries in nine games since coming back in to the team.
And he is determined to again impress this weekend.
“I’m really happy with the way things have been going lately,” said the Hadleigh based Vaughan who has replaced the injured Luke Sloan in the starting line up.
“The two tries I got last I just had to walk over the line though after great work from the forwards.
“The work everyone else has been doing has helped me to settle in and, in many ways, I’ve just been lucky but it’s been great to be playing and helping the team get good results.”
Southend, who are fifth in the National Two South table, have won five of their last six games.
But Vaughan is taking nothing for granted against the Crusaders.
“They are only a few places below us so we know it’s going to be a hard game,” said Vaughan.
“We played well against Canterbury last weekend and our defence was brilliant.
“I think we only missed one tackle in the whole game and if we can do something similar this time then we have a great chance of winning.”
However, Southend do go into the match missing a number of key players.
Scrum half Rhys Powell (hamstring) is definitely out and so is winger Andrew Frost (eye).
Flanker Dan Johnson is also unavailable as are Todd Bailey and Sean Vine who play for England Colleges on Sunday.
Prop Mark Williams and top try scorer Mark Billings also face late fitness tests but head coach Andy Holloway feels the players coming into the side will do a solid job.
“I don’t think the changes really weaken up and we still expect to come away with a win,” said Holloway.
“Dings Crusaders are strong at home and we will have to play well to come out on top but we’re confident we can do it.”
Southend look set to name Steve Jay at scrum-half with Mike Stanley at centre and Sam Cook at number eight after returning from university.
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