SAM Fombo bagged the first try of his Southend career but was unable to stop his side suffering a 38-7 defeat at Redruth.

The 20-year-old from Basildon touched down for the Seasiders six minutes from time.

But the back row took little satisfaction in opening his try-scoring account.

“By that stage of the game the try I scored was pretty pointless to be honest and didn’t really mean too much,” said Fombo.

“To lose like we did was a bit disheartening but now we’ll all be fired up to make sure that never happens again.

“I actually thought we played well in the first half but they scored a try quite early on in the second and that really got their tails up.

“They just kept on going after that but it’s all about how we react to this now.

“We have Canterbury at home at the weekend and we’ll be giving it our all to make sure we get a much better result in that one.”

Southend made the long journey to Redruth having won their first two matches of the new National Two South season.

But, having never won away from home against the Cornwall club, the Seasiders knew they were in for a tough test and that is exactly how it proved.

Redruth went ahead with a try from Luke Collins following a forward drive and that handed the home side a 5-0 lead at half-time.

But, two minutes after the break, Collins went over again and Murray Western added the conversion.

Another power play by Redruth then saw Darren Jacques touch down before referee Richard Kelly awarded the home side a penalty try which Western converted.

Luke James then also went through before Fombo, who has been with Southend for two years, bagged his first ever try.

Alex Harrison added the extras but Redruth had the final say when Western scored a try he also converted to take his own personal points tally to 16.