Southend's pack was at the top of their game as the London Two club set up an Eastern Counties Cup semi-final showdown at National League Barking.

The London Two promotion-chasers defeated London One strugglers Cambridge at Warners Park with two pushover tries from the rampant pack, plus further efforts from skipper James Shearing and Ali Chambers.

The quarter-final win confirmed Southend's progress in recent seasons and also gave them a berth in the preliminary stages of next season's Powergen Cup.

The home side looked in charge for most of the afternoon, but it was the London One side who got out of the blocks quicker with some early pressure.

A penalty put them 3-0 ahead, but Southend hit back immediately when Jamie Banks broke away and set up a try for skipper Shearing.

Chambers kicked a penalty to extend their lead, before the pack took charge to lay the platform for Southend's victory.

They pushed Cambridge over the line for a try, converted by Chambers, for a 15-3 lead.

Cambridge managed a converted try at the start of the second period, but Southend upped the pace and Chambers scored after a first-class break from Charlie Knight.

The powerful Southend forwards then capped their own and their team's display by driving Cambridge back over the line for the final try.

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002