SOUTHEND Saxons' director of rugby Josh Ward was left pondering what could have been following his side's 26-19 defeat at Thurrock.

The setback was Southend's second in succession at the start of the London One North season.

But Ward felt Saxons had enough opportunity to have taken more from the match.

“It was more frustration from me and, like I said to the group, I’m not angry,” said Ward.

“We didn’t have huge amounts of the ball but it was a game of two halves.

“In the first half we put together some really passive defensive sets and that allowed them to get some momentum.

“To be fair to them, Jonesy (Martin Jones) got them in a good place to come out all guns blazing and they scored three tries in the first half I think it was.

“But I never felt we were out of it.

"We regrouped well at half time and we dominated the second half.

"We had five or six opportunities which we just didn’t execute.

"There were two v ones, threes v twos, unforced errors, knocks on, forward passes and stuff like that which leaves you with a sour taste in the sense of what could have been."

However, Ward took heart from aspects of the performance.

"The good thing for us is that it’s all controllable in my opinion.

“We can fix it and we’ve got to fix it.

“But defensively you’re not going to win many game when you’re conceding 20 plus points and we’ve got to put together a full 80 minute performance.

“We can’t afford to give teams head starts.”

Ben Lloyd, Jac Sexton and Alfie Justice all scored tries for Southend with Jack MacVeigh added two conversions. 

Southend: Sexton, MacVeigh, Nagy, Vaughan, Justice, Lloyd, Branch, Bass, M Bevan, Reeman, O'Kill, Buckley, J Ramsey, Whatling, Wagstaff

Replacements: Mowle, A Bevan & T Ramsey