FIRST team coach Josh Ward insists Southend Saxons will show no fear when they host Hertford at Warners Bridge tomorrow.

Southend have triumphed in their last two London & SE Premier Division clashes having previously slumped to eight successive defeats.

And those back to back wins mean the Saxons will be hopeful of pushing third-placed Hertford hard this weekend.

“Hertford are a very good side and they are one of the most consistent teams in our league, but we certainly won’t be showing any fear towards them,” said Ward.

“We respect them hugely and that’s been shown by how we’ve prepared for the game because we know this is going to be a huge challenge for us.

“But we’re focusing on our own performance and if we get it to where we want to be then we feel as though we can be a handful for anyone at this level.”

Despite the two victories, Southend remain second from bottom in the standings and will therefore be the underdogs heading into tomorrow’s game.

Hertford have won eight of their 10 matches so far and sit just a point behind table-topping Tring.

But Ward says Southend will also be heading into Saturday’s clash on a high.

“This is a good place to be at the moment and the two wins we’ve had have been great for everyone,” said Ward.

“No-one had been happy with the start we made to the season but we didn’t get those wins by doing anything differently.

“The boys have trained superbly well all season, they’ve stuck at it and it was hugely pleasing to see it pay off.

“We’ve beaten two good teams in Sutton & Epsom and Tunbridge Wells, who we beat away from home, but we want to build on that now.”

And, with that mission in mind, Ward has also been pleased with the side’s ever improving spirit.

“The boys have been spending a lot of time together off the pitch and that’s helping,” said Ward, who, along with director of rugby Martin Jones, had to build a new squad at Warners Bridge this summer.

“We put a lot of importance on the culture we’re trying to put in place at the club, so that’s also been pleasing to see.

“We had a rest with there being no game last weekend and although this will be a tough test tomorrow, it’s one we’re all looking forward to.”

Southend will be without Ross O’Brien this weekend as the scrum-half misses out with a dead leg.

Fly-half Tom Ramsey is also absent with a hamstring problem sustained while playing for Seevic College.