TABLE-TOPPING Southend Saxons will continue a pivotal month for their promotion push with a visit to third placed Eton Manor tomorrow.

Southend top the Regional Two Anglia standings by a point but have a played a game more than second placed Letchworth Garden City.

And Saxons’ director of rugby Josh Ward knows it is imperative his side keep the pressure on their title rivals during a crucial stage of the season.

“January was always going to be a massive month for us and on the whole we’re pretty pleased with how we’ve played so far,” said Ward.

“We put in a real workmanlike performance at Letchworth and played half the game with a reduced number of players.

“We played well against Brentwood at home and this one on Saturday was always going to be a massive, massive challenge as well.

“They don’t lose many at home but top teams go there and win so this weekend we’ve got to show we’re a top team and put in a really good performance to be able to compete.”

Southend, who were narrowly beaten at Letchworth, had been due to get back in action against Chingford last weekend only for the game to be cancelled with the visitors unable to put together enough players to form a team.

And Ward remains frustrated the game did not go ahead, despite Saxons being awarded the five points.

“We wanted to play and use it as an opportunity to bounce back from the week before,” said Ward.

“We wanted to get a good performance under our belt and score some tries.

“It’s a reduced season with the restructuring anyway so we certainly don’t want to see games being cancelled for the inability to get teams out.

“Part of me feels sorry for Chingford that they’re in that situation and state but selfishly we wanted to play and get some on-field momentum going into Saturday.”

But Southend are going into the game without some key players include Jake O’Kill who broke his leg during the defeat to Letchworth.

“Every team goes through blips when it seems like you’re really up against it and we’re probably there right now,” said Ward.

“We’ve got a handful of guys who have had to have surgery and are on the touchline for a while.

“Jake is one of those.

“He’s a massive clubman and he’s pivotal to what we do within the senior set up.

“We’re gutted not to have him involved on the field but he’ll still be about.

“He had surgery on Monday and we will support him with his recovery to get back on the field.”

In National League Two East, 11th placed Rochford Hundred head to Sevenoaks who sit just below them in the standings while bottom of the table Westcliff host ninth placed Guernsey.