Jamie Beswick marks century cap with try as Shelford defeat Southend Saxons in London League 1N

Jamie Beswick celebrated his 100th appearance for Shelford with a try in a 31-15 win over Southend Saxons in London League 1N.

Using the foundation of a solid set piece and aggressive defence, they used the elements in their favour in the first half to take the lead through Louis Tang, who was put away by an off-load from Lewis Cracknell after nine minutes.

Ben Lloyd replied with a penalty for Southend after 16 minutes, after Shelford had been caught offside.

A superb break from Vili Koroibanuve was continued by Sam Till, on his return to the first team, and the final pass was delivered to flanker Harry Rogerson to race clear to touch down, with Cracknell’s conversion making it 12-3.

Southend had a player sin-binned, and then Shelford got their third try.

They kept the ball alive for Beswick to force his way over the line on a landmark day. Cracknell converted to make it 19-3.

The visitors fired into action just before half time, with Tom Richards sprinting clear to score and Lloyd kicking the extras to reduce the arrears to 19-10.

After the break, Shelford upped the ante despite going into the wind with the pack dominant.

They were immediately on the front foot and, from an attacking scrum after a penalty, scrum-half Tom Duffy broke down the blind-side before grubber kicking through for Koroibanuve to get the bonus-point winning fourth try.

Beswick then blotted his copybook with a yellow card for slowing down the play.

Southend were the next to score with a breakaway try from Mitch Bennett with 10 minutes remaining.

But the final say went to Shelford as Will Lawson started and finished a well-deserved try, that was converted by Koroibanuve.

Shelford are away to Old Priorians this Saturday (February 29).