SOUTHEND Saxons travel to Thurrock in Regional Two Anglia tomorrow.

The two teams have taken seven points from their opening two games of the season.

And Saxons’ director of rugby Josh Ward is looking for a strong display against the club’s long-standing local rivals.

“It’s a place we’ve not been the most fluent in terms of how we’ve played there in recent times,” said Ward.

“They’re a good side at home and a tough nut to crack so you have to chip away at them but we have a lot of confidence within our group.”

And that belief has been further boosted by a good build up to Saturday’s clash.

“We’ve had an excellent week together and we’re looking to get a good start,” said Ward.

“It’s a game you have to be engaged with for the full 80 minutes.

“There’s confidence and a desire to get it right this week.

“Hopefully we can use it as a platform to generate some momentum going into the season too.

“We’re looking forward to it but they have a number of threats in their group which we need to be aware of.”

Southend will also go into the game on a high after beating Holt last time out.

And Ward was full of praise for the performance.

“We were very pleased with the win last week,” said Ward.

“The conditions were brutal and it was extremely hot but the players were excellent.

“We had to ne patient in the first but showed good maturity. “In the second half we really put our foot on the accelerator.

“The fitness levels shone through and the work Cat (Malcolm) has done with them through pre-season came to fruition.

“We scored some outstanding team tries.

“To score 11 tries was great, it gives us good points difference and it was a great all round performance.

“But Thurrock will be a completely different challenge.”