SOUTHEND Saxons will be hoping it is third time lucky when they head to Old Haberdashers tomorrow.

Saxons have been beaten in their opening two fixtures of the London One North season.

And Nik Grier - who lines up at hooker for Southend - knows how important a victory would be this weekend.

“This week is massive for us as we need a win on the board,” said Grier.

“We can’t go out and accept less this weekend.

“But, at the same time, we are not going to take it for granted because they are a good side.

“You can see that from their league position last season and they won last weekend too, so they will be confident.”

Southend - who were relegated from the London & SE Premier Division last season - started life in London One North with a 29-12 defeat at Eton Manor.

That was followed by a 50-17 defeat against local rivals Rochford Hundred at Warners Bridge last weekend in a game which frustrated Grier.

“What let us down was that we did what we said we weren’t going to do and that was let them come at us,” said Grier.

“Unfortunately, that cost us and with players like Sonny (Gay), Beero (Danny Cleare) and (Mark) Billings in their backline you can’t afford to do that.

“They punished us in the first 20 minutes by scoring four tries.

“But we expected a tough game against them because they’re a renowned side with a lot of experience.”

However, Grier still feels there are positives for a new look Southend side.

“Other than me, Macca (Andrew McClintock) and Vaughany (Chris Vaughan), we’re a young side and there have certainly been positive signs so far,” said Grier.

“We are a new side and we are learning week by week. We are still gelling together as a team as well.”

Southend will be missing number eight Matt Wagstaff this weekend after he suffered a shoulder injury against Rochford.

But winger Sam Hampson will be eager to continue his own fine start to the season after scoring three tries in the Saxons’ first two games.

Old Haberdashers finished seventh last term and have triumphed once in two games this season.

l Basildon and South Woodham Ferrers will both be looking to bounce back from opening day defeats when they clash in London Two North East tomorrow.

Basildon lost 36-20 against Woodford, while Woodham were beaten 50-10 at Wanstead.

In London Three Essex, Canvey Island host Maldon while, in Essex One, Billericay host Old Brentwoods.