Co-captain says Southend Saxons are ready to go again this weekend

Saxons host North Walsham at Warners Bridge tomorrow for their first Regional One South East fixture in a fortnight.

And Wagstaff insists Southend cannot wait to get back in action.

“We are all ready to go again on Saturday,” said Wagstaff.

“We have a few boys returning to the team for different reasons and they’ll want to prove a point.

“North Walsham have had similar results to us so it will be a good test.

“They will be physical and strong defensively so we need to be patient and keep hold of the ball.

“That way, we can break them down and produce multiple scoring opportunities.”

Southend, were promoted as Regional Two Anglia champions last season, are currently eighth in the table after suffering five defeats in succession.

But co-captain Wagstaff remains focused on the upcoming fixtures.

“Our season was always going to be judged on the last season so when you look at the position it doesn’t look too positive at face value,” admits Wagstaff.

“However, internally we are focusing on each game and have our own aims for the season.

“As a group we are focusing on our level of performance and making sure we get things right individually.

“Results will start to come and we know we have six huge games this side of Christmas.”

The first of those comes against ninth placed North Walsham this weekend.

And Wagstaff feels Southend will have been boosted by having a week off.

“The break allowed some boys who had knocks and long term injuries to continue their recovery,” said Wagstaff.

“We were also able to reflect and go back to drawing board.

“The week off gave us an opportunity to slow things down at training and analyse our performances.

“We now want to get going and put everything into Saturday.”

Elsewhere this weekend, Regional Two Anglia leaders Westcliff head to eighth placed Woodford while ninth placed Rochford Hundred go to seventh placed Wymondham.

In Counties One Essex, 11th placed Basildon go to ninth placed Epping Upper Clapton.

In Counties Two Essex, second placed Billericay travel to seventh placed Kelvedon & Feering while fourth placed Canvey Island are at home to bottom of the table South Woodham Ferrers.