New Zealander Mac Smith shrugged off the disappointment of the All Blacks' World Cup semi-final defeat to set Southend on the way to a convincing win at Old Colfeians on Saturday.
The Kiwi centre scored a breakaway try inside two minutes, which Welshman Ali Chambers converted, to get the Warners Park side off to a flying start against a side who started the day just two points behind Kevin Harman's side.
The sides then traded penalties, with Chambers again splitting the posts, before Smith scored again -- touching down at the end of another exceptional run.
The hosts pulled one back with a try on the half-hour mark, but Southend soon re-established their healthy cushion with a well-worked team try finished off by full-back Chris Green to make it 22-8 at the interval.
Alan Barker stole the show for the Essex side after the break, scoring a hat-trick of tries.
Barker's dominance was broken when the hosts scored back-to-back tries, but his determination was rewarded four minutes from time when he completed his treble.
Published Tuesday November 18, 2003
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