WESTCLIFF director of rugby Rick Compton is targeting another year of progress after seeing his side finish pre-season with a 34-10 win at Rochford Hundred.

Westcliff saw off their spirited hosts in front of a bumper crowd of close to 500 fans at Magnolia Road.

And Compton - whose side finished seventh in National Three London & SE last term - is now relishing the start of the new season this weekend.

“We’re looking forward to starting the season and this was a decent test for us in our last official pre-season game,” said Compton.

“There was some good intensity there and I’m sure both teams would have taken something from it.

“Both teams would also have seen things they didn’t like but it’s about sharpening those things up before you start the season and that’s what we will be looking to do.”

Westcliff - who face Dorking on the opening day of the new campaign - opened the scoring with an early try from Jim Smith before the hosts hit back with hooker Adam Ferrier charging through to score.

Fly-half Tom Ashton added the conversion and a penalty to put Rochford 10-5 in front at half-time.

But Westcliff were able to pull away in the second half with Sam Brown, Jack Jones, Lewis Cross and Jake Spivey all touching down and Compton has been pleased with his side’s pre-season campaign.

“It’s been going quite well and I’ve been satisfied with how things have been going,” said Compton.

“The draw-back with pre-season is that some weeks you have players available and the next you don’t but everyone has had a run-out and I’m pleased with how it’s gone.”

However, attention will now switch towards the league campaign and improving on the impressive seventh place finish Westcliff secured last season.

“We were really pleased with last season and finishing seventh but we want to try and do even better this year if we can,” said Compton.

“Coming seventh like we did was a great turnaround from the year before.

“We would love to do better but matching last season is the minimum aim because we want to prove we aren’t a flash in the pan.

“It would also be nice to get local bragging rights too but that doesn’t come easily.”

Westcliff finished above Southend last season and have managed to keep a similar squad for the campaign ahead.

“We’ve lost a couple of lads - Chris Dudman has gone to Malta and Uta has returned to New Zealand, but we’re quite satisfied because we’ve brought a few new young lads in,” said Compton.

“Rob Smith has come back too and we’re very happy about that.”

Rochford also have high aspirations for the season ahead and have strengthened their squad significantly this summer.

They begin their London Two North East season a week on Saturday when they travel to Sudbury.

>WESTCLIFF Lions triumphed in the final of the Essex Senior Cup, beating Southend Priors 59-26.

The Lions led 26-7 at half-time before moving further clear.