SOUTHEND Saxons made it back to back victories with a hard-fought 17-12 win at Tunbridge Wells.

Southend started the London & SE Premier Division season with eight defeats in succession before securing a narrow 32-31 triumph against Sutton & Epsom.

And skipper Ian Morrison was thrilled to follow that up with another narrow win at the weekend.

“It was a game set in tough rugby conditions with an extremely slippery ball but we showed patience and maturity with how we managed the game,” said Morrison.

“With some changes it was also a good opportunity to show the strength of the squad and it was great to get the victory.

“The win against Sutton definitely gave us more confidence and showed us what we always believed - that we are capable of beating any team in this league on our day.”

Southend remain second from bottom in the standings but now sit just two points behind 12th placed Westcombe Park and six points behind Shelford who sit just above the relegation zone.

And Morrison is keen to close that gap during the forthcoming run of fixtures.

“This league is extremely unpredictable and any team is capable of beating another,” said Morrison.

“We have felt we have been extremely close in a number of games this season.

“But with the added confidence I feel we will only move forward and compete well.”

Southend are without a game this weekend but return the following Saturday against Hertford.

And Morrison will again be leading the team into action.

“Being captain wasn’t necessarily on my radar at the beginning of the season but it is something I’m extremely proud to do,” said Morrison.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity but we have a strong leadership group so I am not alone in helping lead the team.”

Southend opened the scoring with an Adam Dobson penalty at the weekend before he also converted a try from Marcus Bloomberg to put the visitors 10-0 ahead.

Scrum half Tony Sprangers then touched down just before the break with Dobson again adding the extras to secure victory for Southend despite an improved second half showing from their hosts.

Southend: Barton, Radzevicius, Murphy, Wood, Navarro, Dobson, Sprangers, Lopez, Bloomberg, Campbell-Webster, Maggiolo, Newton, Read, Morrison, Shields Replacements: Forster-Knight, Archer & MacVeigh