Southend Saxons head into tomorrow’s testing clash at North Walsham with plenty to be positive about, according to their hooker Nik Grier.

Saxons saw their four match winning run ended by a 28-13 defeat to second-placed Colchester last weekend.

But Grier felt the game showed Southend are more than capable of testing the top teams in London One North.

“The Colchester game was an odd one for us to be honest,” said Grier.

“Don’t get me wrong, Colchester are a good side but the scoreline flattered them.

“They didn’t deserve it but then our penalty count in the second half was very poor.

“I think it was 10 we gave away in the second half but we still showed what we could do when we get things right so there were some massive positives to take away from the game.”

And Grier also felt the contest showed the progress Southend have made since the start of the season.

“If we’d played this game at the start of the season we would have folded at being 13-0 down and we would have lost by 30 or 40 points so it just shows that we are growing as a team and getting stronger week by week,” said Grier.

“A massive shout out has to go to Macca (Andrew McClintock) and Tom Day as they were both outstanding last weekend for us.”

Grier is now keen to secure more positives and points when eighth-placed Southend head to a Walsham side who are currently third in the standings having won nine of their 11 games so far.

But he is expecting another tough contest.

“North Walsham will be another stern test for us a team,” said Grier.

“They are third in the league and from what I’ve heard from a few of the Rochford boys they were the hardest team they’ve come up against so it will be a massive challenge for us this weekend as a team.

“But it’s one we are relishing and looking forward to.”