Sat 21 Mar 2026
Another thriller between these two closely matched sides with Southend winning for the first time in the six or so matches played between the clubs and for sheer persistence they deserved it. On seventy eight minutes Legends had a chance to put the game to bed but squandered a three man overlap. Then Southend on their own line went through twenty five phases and various penalties to eventually go under the posts to seal the deal on the eighty fourth minute to the delight of the crowd. Head Coach Baz Basra encouraged his charges as despite some errors they had stuck at their game plan and the defence at times was heroic despite one or two soft concedes.
As well as mighty tackling from Liam Fitts and Tim Hughes and a mighty bosh or two from Tom Lewis it was heir apparent at eight Adam Green and centre Charlie Parkhouse who cut through at will who were nominated as men of the match.
It was muted beforehand that Southend had a propensity to score some great tries but then leak them with abandon… today the leaky bucket had fresh straw in it!
On a bright Spring day with a tremendous ladies lunch beforehand the home side took the field in their pink and green shirts with many an Essex girl cheering them on. Those cheers subsided a tad as from the start Letchworth took control .On seven minutes Gibbs fed Charlie Parkhouse who cut through and put in Max Trimble to score with Sharp converting. Then the home side broke through for their centre Ramsey to go through and tie the scores after Morgan’s conversion… a somewhat soft try.
Gibbs then had to retire with a head injury and was replaced by Brendan Marume. before returning later in the game. Charlie Parkhouse again broke through and Marume and Kwaku combined for burly second row Josh Walker to score under the posts. A penalty saw Southend close the gap to 10-14 and then further penalties and good play saw a them over in the corner to take a slender one point lead. However it seemed that Legends could bounce back at will and indeed they did with a fine try before half time. Tom Aviss took good ball and once again that man Parkhouse cut through to feed Kwaku for a pre half time score 15-21. Gibbs now back on the pitch complete with head bandage made a great solo run and was brought down at the last hurdle.
So the Letchworth faithful thought they could expect more in the second half and indeed it seemed to be all going to script as Max Trimble put Josh Parkhouse over and then Kwaku did the same for his opposite winger… another brace for Josh.
With sixty minutes gone and three scores ahead it seemed all but over but never ignore the resilience of the bucket and spade brigade.
A kick out of defence by the visitors was brilliantly run back for a score and then the same thing happened from the restart. So suddenly it was 27-31 and all to play for. The faithful went quiet as the Essex lasses just as the sirens of old bayed their heroes on.
With two minutes to go Legends botched their chance to settle matters and despite starting off on their own five metre line you just got the feeling Southend could do it. Six minutes later after a great exhibition of ball retention through penalty, scrum, and lineout they did just that and no one can deny that it was deserved at the end and there was no time for a reply by Legends who just had to realise that this was one snatched from their grasp.
Next week Letchworth host Old Northamptonians after their own sellout Ladies lunch and Josh Sharp and his men will be donning the pink shirts sponsored by ex-first team prop Richard Stokes. It is to be hoped on this occasion they will be in the "pink" after the contest.
