Despite being two leagues below visitors Southend, Maldon had Saturday's match sewn up until the final six minutes.

Maldon took charge from the off but had to work hard for their points.

The two home tries came from winger Neil Osbourne and flanker Chrispin Binder who showed the good form that won his place back into the second XV a few weeks previously.

Maldon were 12-0 up until the final minutes where Southend's fitness showed through, and they scored three tries, two of which were converted.

Although losing the game in the way Maldon did, it was a good performance, showing that there is no reason they should not do well in the remainder of the league season.

On Saturday Maldon II's entertain Chelmsford II's in a league match. MALDON III......................14

BILLERICAY III..............32

In a good display of high quality third team rugby, Billericay proved too strong for Maldon's young side on Saturday.

Billericay took an early lead with two tries and a penalty, but the rapidly improving Maldon team rallied and scored a try midway through the first half.

From a line out inside the home team's half, Maldon's forwards presented their backs with a good ball through the scrum half Pete Hall who made a surging run to score under the posts, and Ryan Morrant added the extra points.

The second half took the same shape as the first, and Maldon's second try came from centre Chris Pipe who received the ball on the halfway line, broke three tackles to score under the posts and Ryan Morrant kicked over his second conversion.

Billericay had the last say by scoring two late tries and despite a convincing scoreline, Maldon felt that they didn't deserve to lose by such a big difference.

On Saturday Maldon IIIs travel to play Chelmsford IIIs.

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