Southend RFC skipper James Shearing reckons tomorrow's mouthwatering clash with Haywards Heath is a benchmarkforhis side'sseason.

The second-placed seaside outfit take on the London One leaders at Warners Park (3pm) knowing victory will vault them over their opponents into top spot again.

And the 26-year-old forwardsaid: "These are the kind of games the players have been looking out for since we won promotion last year.

"Many of their players have played at a higher level, and I think they have a couple who have turned out for Harlequins.

"We want to win, but you can't build the season on one game. If we can get a result that's excellent, but we are looking for the performance.

"They are the top dogs and this is our first season at this level. It's an early benchmarkfor ourour season, but the lads are up for it."

Southend lost top spot and their 17-match unbeaten record when they surprisingly lost 15-13 to bottom club London Nigerians two weeks ago.

Shearing added: "We're not going to get down after losing one game. Whoever wins this league is going to lose four or five."

"The Nigerians game was a shock result, but we had our chances to win and we have the chance to bounce back."

Published Friday October 25, 2002