SOUTHEND Rugby Club’s full-back Simon Hoult fully expects the Seasiders to mount a serious push for promotion next season.

Ben Green’s team, who travel to bottom of the table Bridgwater and Albion tomorrow, have triumphed in six of their last eight games in National Two South.

And Hoult is sure they can take that momentum in to the next campaign.

“I definitely think we can be pushing for promotion next season,” said Hoult, who has been in fine form for Southend this term- scoring nine tries.

“We have a young squad but they are gaining good experience from playing and that’s certainly going to help them.

“We’ve done well lately and I’m sure that can carry on next year so we can be up there challenging.”

Southend, who were relegated from National League Two last season, started the current campaign winning just one of their opening four games.

But they have recovered strongly since then and currently sit fifth in the standings.

Despite that, they have yet to be beat any of the teams above them in the table but did run Ealing exceptionally close at the weekend as they lost 28-27 at Warners Bridge.

“We certainly could’ve won but were punished for two lapses in concentration,” said Hoult who scored a try, three conversions and two penalties against the Londoners.

“It was disappointing but we more than matched them and showed we can take on the top teams in the league.”

Southend have had seven unsuccessful meetings with top four teams this term.

They were also beaten by a point at home to Clifton in January but the Seasiders have one last chance to end that record in a fortnight’s time when they host Rosslyn Park.

“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to already,” said Hoult.

“It’s our last chance to beat a top four team and one we want to take but before then we’re fully focused on the Bridgwater game.”

Bridgwater have triumphed in just two of their 24 games so far this season and were thrashed 61-0 at Warners Bridge in December but Southend’s head coach Andy Holloway has warned his team not to be complacent.

“It’s a hard place to go,” said Holloway.

“The players have experienced it before and playing the lower teams at their own ground is never going to be easy.”

Southend will also be missing second row Dan Johnson this weekend and he will be replaced by Sean Vine.

Nick Greer comes in for Charlie Keenan at hooker and Nick Flexman will play on the wing instead of Mark Billings.