The Canterbury revival gathered momentum as the city side extended their winning run to three games.

After going behind in the first minute the city side took control of this National 2 South clash and by half time had scored four tries and banked a precious bonus point.

It was impressive stuff from a confident team who virtually sealed the victory with a fifth try five minutes after the break.

A heavy pitch, understandably, took some of the spring out of their legs in the last quarter but apart from conceding a charge down try there was seldom any danger of the Canterbury lead evaporating.

Southend made too many errors and paid a price for poor discipline as two yellow cards issued for foul play were punished by tries.

It was the Essex side, however, who made the dream start. A chip kick over a flat lying defence and quick support saw Harry Hudson grab the try. Brad Burr converted with just 60 seconds on the clock.

A knock on killed a golden chance of a second home score but by that time Canterbury were in business and a solid lineout catch and drive had been finished off by lock Tom Burns.

Their monopoly of possession always promised more points but a second try belonged to the poaching instincts of leading scorer Mason Rosvall. Laboured handing by the home backs ended with the Kiwi wingman intercepting a telegraphed pass and running in unopposed from 70 metres.

Southend then handicapped themselves foolishly when they were in a prime attacking area. Hooker Marcus Bloomberg was sin binned and Canterbury made them suffer. Probes on both flanks tested the defence before the backs worked space for full back Aiden Moss to fly home for the score.

A Saxons handling error handed Canterbury their bonus point opportunity. A spilled pass was hacked upfield, leaving only debutant wing Lovett Filson to handle the danger. He had little chance as Canterbury stole the ball and Martyn Beaumont did the rest.

With two Tom Best conversions the city side were seventeen points ahead and primed for the win. A yellow card for Saxons prop Aston Bevans-Royston just before half time helped put the game to bed early in the second half as the home side were reduced to 14 men for a second time. Dan Smart spotted blind side space at a scrum and great running and co-operation between Harry Sayers and Moss gave the full back his second try which Best converted.

From that point the game gradually lost some of its sparkle and mistakes were frequent but the Canterbury forwards and the team’s defensive qualities held sway. Hudson’s second try for Saxons, converted by Burr, in the final quarter never seriously unsettled the visitors pursuit of victory.

Canterbury: A.Moss, H.Sayers, W.Farris (repl C.Horey), T.Best, M.Rosvall, M.Beaumont, D.Smart, J.Green (repl C.Townley), T.Rogers (repl S.Rogers), A.Wake-Smith, R,Cadman, T.Burns (repl R.Corr), M.Cantwell, S.Nixon (repl R.Ward), G.Micans.