RUGBY: Southend Saxons will be seeking a third win in succession when they head to Saffron Walden tomorrow.

Saxons have risen up to third in the Regional Two Anglia standings after bouncing back from their opening day defeat to Woodford.

And Southend’s director of rugby Josh Ward is looking forward to Saturday’s contest.

“Saffron Walden have quite a refreshing approach,” said Ward.

“They’ve conceded a few points but they’ve scored quite a few too.

“We’ve had a look at them and they’ve clearly got some threats.

“We’ve prepared the best we can and we expect them to play for the full 80 minutes, regardless of what we do.

“But the mentality of the group is that if we get it right we’re a handful for most in this league.”

Southend proved that last time out with a hard fought 35-12 win at local rivals Thurrock.

And Ward was pleased with how Saxons recovered from 12-8 down at half-time to triumph.

“It was a strange one and the game was in the balance, especially in the first half,” said Ward.

“We were playing in the right areas of the pitch and put some consistent pressure on them.

“But the main frustration was that when the opportunities arose we just didn’t take them and our execution wasn’t where it needed to be.

“We felt like we left two or three tries out there in that first half.

“We had a man go in the bin which we thought was harsh and it made things even tougher.

“Thurrock to their credit I think only had a couple of entries into our 22 but left with points both times.”

But Ward was boosted by the reaction which followed.

“The pleasing thing for us was that we regrouped really well at half-time,” said Ward.

“The players did the majority of that and in the third quarter the boys were outstanding.

“They stepped it up and the tempo was too much for Thurrock.

“But now we’re focused on Saturday.”

In Regional One South East tomorrow, third placed Rochford Hundred host second from bottom Hertford.

And head coach Danny Cleare is also looking to build on his side’s win at Westcliff last time out.

“The confidence is definitely back after a good win, and we have pretty much a full forward pack available next week to select from which is a nice change,” said Cleare.

“However picking a backline will be a bit more difficult and some of the forwards are already training with the backs to fill in at the moment.”

Westcliff sit bottom of the table but coach Jimmy Rea is keeping his spirits high ahead of Saturday’s match with seventh placed Bedford Athletic.

“The lads are progressing and as I said to them last week we are only one pass away,” said Rea.

“The lads are growing and adapting every week, they have the right attitudes and they all know we are on the right path.”