SOUTHEND'S under-17 side finished their season with a 19-12 win over Thurrock.

Flanker Jack King charged down a clearance kick to open the scoring with a try which full-back Will Bannister converted.

Winger Alex Wittamore then set up Kit Worsley for the second score and Bannister again added the extra points.

Southend remained dominant until the final minute of the first half when the T's big number eight broke from a set piece on his 22 to outpace the cover and link with the full back several yards over half way before he scored under the posts to cut the home side's lead to 14-7 at half-time.

Several personnel changes to the Seasiders affected their fluency in midfield and after a number of break-downs Thurrock seized their chance to narrow the score to 14-12.

Southend again reshuffled their back line and soon regained territorial advantage.

The T's defended strongly before the Seasiders' number eight Todd Bailey barged his way through and that was enough to secure victory for Southend.

The youngsters also held their end of year awards with player of the year going to Matt Maynard.

The chairman's trophy for most improved player went to Freddie Short, Worsley was handed the President's Trophy for clubman of the year and the players' player of the year was Tom Reeman.