2 weeks Ago
The powerful second row lined up for in his youth. But, having spent time away with Westcliff and Bishop’s Stortford among others, Nicholls returned to Warners Bridge in the summer. And he is delighted to be back on familiar territory.
“Southend is where it all started for me in the mini and youth,” recalled Nicholls explaining the reasons for his return. “I was majorly attracted by the coaching set-up and staff. “I thought they had a mentality of winning and knew the boys had an outstanding last season.
“I knew a lot of boys there from playing local rugby in my youth and I had just played a season at Bishop Stortford. “I was about to re-sign for them Josh Ward approached me and in this stage of my rugby was the correct decision to join.” Southend were promoted as Regional Two Anglia champions last season but have made a mixed start to life in Regional One South East.
Two straight wins have been followed by four successive defeats but Nicholls has been encouraged by the way things have been going. “We’ve definitely started strongly and settled in well, showing we are not here to make up the numbers,” said Nicholls. “We’ve had a few injuries early on in the season including myself but with such a strong squad, we’ve still been competitive and picked up points in every game dispute some difficult opening games.
” “We are still building in this league and are hoping for some outstanding results in the next few games.” Southend are currently eighth in the standings but ran table-topping Letchworth Garden City close last weekend. Saxons were eventually beaten 26-20 but Nicholls is eager to maintain that level of performance, starting with Saturday’s trip to sixth placed Hertford.
“Hopefully we can build on a strong performance from last week,” said Nicholls. “Against the league leaders we had multiple chances throughout the game to win but our own mistakes cost us the game. “Hertford we know are a strong outfit but we back ourselves and we’re expecting a big result.
” And Nicholls also has high hopes for the remainder of the campaign. “I think we have a very good chance of finishing extremely high in the table,” said Nicholls. “We have some outstanding talent in the team.
“The goal for this season as a club was to try to push for the top end of the table or even possibly a double promotion and get the club in to national league rugby. “Personally I hope to build into the team share some of my knowledge and get the results we want.”.
