SOUTHEND Saxons are celebrating being crowned Regional Two Anglia champions.

Saxons made sure of the title by beating Brentwood 33-19 at Warners Bridge on Saturday.

And director of rugby Josh Ward was delighted to see Southend make certain of top spot with a 19th victory in succession.

“It’s been an incredibly memorable season,” said Ward.

“I’m pleased for the players because I see how hard they work on a weekly basis, the staff equally and the supporters too.

“They’ve gone through a tough time in recent years but have stuck behind us and seen what we’re trying to do on and off the field.

“We put a plan together and to watch it come to fruition is fantastic but the thing I’m most proud about is the connection throughout the club.”

Ward first joined Southend back in 2017 before becoming director of rugby just 12 months later.

And he has overseen real improvement during his spell in charge.

“When I first came in we had 12 players training and a dog watching,” said Ward.

“It was a ghost-town environment which was sad to see but it was exciting at the same time because it was a transitional period.

“I’ve always stuck with my belief that if you pack the place with good people and allow them to have an input then you’ll move in the right direction.

“Everyone within the building wants the best for the club and to see where we are now I’m incredibly proud.

“But it’s been a massive collective effort.”

And Ward also stressed there was still plenty for Southend to achieve this season.

“We’ve got two league games left and we fully intend to continue our momentum,” said Ward.

“We’ve won 19 in a row now and that’s remarkable but we’re nowhere near done.

“We’ve got the Papa Johns Cup we’re fully bought into and we want to take the club to Twickenham.

“We want to see where this journey takes us.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, bottom of the table Westcliff lost 39-17 at fifth placed Shelford in Regional One South East, the level Southend will be playing in next season.

Second from bottom Rochford Hundred lost 57-10 at Letchworth Garden City who are now third.