SOUTHEND Rugby Club continued their splendid start to the season with a 44-32 win at Shelford on Saturday.

But the Seasiders were still not satisfied.

The Warners Bridge outfit ran home five tries, with full-back Andrew Frost grabbing 29 points.

However, it was their form at the other end of the field which left Southend feeling frustrated.

“We were all quite downbeat at the end of the game,” confirmed the club’s head coach Andy Holloway.

“We were disappointed at giving them a bonus point and conceding 32 points.

“At the same time though we never looked like losing because our attack was so strong and we really did play some splendid rugby.”

Southend started well and, within three minutes, Frost kicked his first three points of the game.

Shortly after, winger Mark Billings touched down for the fifth time in four outings and Frost converted to make it 10-0.

Southend were now in rampant form and they soon went further ahead when Frost collected the ball in his own half before setting off on a mazy run beating man after man.

He then shipped it left and continued his run in support.

The ball passed from player to player until it arrived back with Frost who touched down over the line under the posts.

His conversion took the score to 17-0 in the first 15 minutes Shelford kept at it though and were rewarded with a try of their own from scrum half Charlie Baker.

Eddie Gough converted and then added two penalties to make it 17-13.

Southend centre Mike Stanley added to his side’s woes by being yellow carded, but Holloway’s men stayed strong and went further ahead when scrum half Sam Arnott scored his first try for the club.

Frost added the extras to make it 24-13 and, at the start of the second half, the lead was stretched even further when skipper Chris Green outstripped the home defence to score.

Frost again converted, but Shelford got one back in the 46th minute when flanker Dane Grey rumbled over and Gough kicked the conversion.

But the impressive Frost helped Southend hit back with his second try of the game, which he also converted to make it 38-20.

Green was then also yellow carded for the Seasiders, enabling Grey to go over again, but Frost replied with two penalties.

That ended the game as a contest but Shelford did secure a bonus point late – after Frost had also been yellow carded – with a try from Baker.

Southend remain unbeaten and sit third in the National Two standings ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Taunton.

Southend: Frost, Cleare, Vaughan, Stanley, Billings, Boughtwood, Arnott, Williams, Keenan, M Guess, Waring, Barker, Green, Van Der Molen, Vine.

Replacements: Gay, L Guess, McClintock, Grier & Irvine.