RICKI Gould bagged his first Southend Saxons try to help them secure a vital 21-12 win against fellow strugglers Chichester at Warners Bridge on Saturday.

The scrum half touched down in the second half as third from bottom Southend moved to within six points of their relegation rivals in the National Three London & SE standings.

And Gould was delighted to play a key part in the victory which kept alive the Saxons’ survival hopes.

“It was a tough game but it was great to get a win in such an important game,” said the 19-year-old.

“Chichester had some really big physical boys but our forwards matched them up front and really set the tone early doors.

“It wasn’t a pretty game but we dominated the scrum and showed great character to come from behind and get the win.

“Personally it was nice to dot down for my first try of the season and have that monkey off my back but it was more about getting the win.

“But we need to keep it going now and this week, at Guernsey, is another massive game.

“We should have a really strong squad travelling and we’re looking to upset the odds and get an unlikely win out there.”

Southend - who have now won two games in a row - raced into a 6-0 lead with two penalties from fly-half Brad Burr before the home-side were reduced to 14 men when centre Tyson Nguluafe was yellow carded.

Chichester made the most of their extra man with an unconverted try before Southend replied with another penalty from Burr to lead 9-5 at half-time.

After the break, Chichester went in front for the first time with a converted try but they were also shown a yellow card which boosted Southend.

The hosts were able to win a scrum against the head which resulted in Tom Ashton linking up with Gould to enable the scrum half to score a vital try to put Saxons two points into the lead.

Moments later, Southend went further in front when an intelligent grubber kick from Burr teed up George Griffiths to touch down and score.

Burr added the conversion before Chichester replied with another try of their own.

But, by then, Southend had already done enough to win, much to the delight of their director of rugby Martin Jones.

“This was very much the cliché of the game being won up front,” said Jones.

“All our forwards, including replacements, were very good and our game management is improving.”

Southend: Cleare, Griffiths, Ngaluafe, Burr, O’Brien, Ashton, Gouls, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bailey, Court-Rhind, O’Kill, Smith, Shields, Kellard Replacements: Day-White, Fombo & Radzevicius