GEORGE Griffiths was left suffering mixed emotions following Southend Saxons’ 27-10 defeat to Hertford on Saturday.

The 17-year-old Seevic College student was delighted to be handed his first senior start for the club.

But he was left gutted to have lost at Warners Bridge.

“It was very pleasing and lovely to have my first full cap for Southend, especially at home,” said Griffiths.

“I’ve been training hard and putting so much in to my rugby that it was good to get the chance but it was disappointing to lose.

“I felt we played well in the first half and it was a shame we let it slip in the second because it would have been great to get the win in my first start.”

Southend led 10-8 at the break thanks to a try from Chris Shields and two kicks from Iain Meads.

But Hertford hit back after the break to condemn Saxons to a fourth successive defeat in National Three London & SE.

And Griffiths immediately noticed a big step up in the standard.

“It’s so much harder as the tempo is quicker than anything before and the physicality is harder than anything I’ve done before too,” said the youngster.

“This has topped anything I’ve done before but I’m enjoying the challenge and can’t wait for the rest of the season.

“I enjoyed playing for the first team and would like to do it again.”

Southend: Meads, Griffiths, Ngaluafe, Watling, Walker, Vaughan, Gould, Strachan, Forster-Knight, Bailey, Legge, Court-Rhind, Shields, Morrison, Shields. Subs: Reeman, O’Brien & O’Kill