WESTCLIFF’s return to National Three London & SE began with a narrow 38-33 defeat at Barnes.

Westcliff led 21-19 at the half-time break but were overhauled in the second period.

And their first team manager Rick Compton was disappointed not to have started the season with a win.

“It was a frustrating result and a game we clearly could have won,” said Compton.

“At times we showed great promise but at others we made poor decisions which were ruthlessly exploited.

“We still picked up two match points for the narrow margin of defeat and our try scoring offers some consolation.

“But we must take some lessons from the game and eliminate the amount of cheap points we offer up.”

Barnes went in front as early as the sixth minute when they were able to exploit space on their left from deep and score out wide on right flank.

A well struck conversion made it 7-0 before an unconverted try extended their advantage to 12-0.

However, Westcliff responded strongly and scored a well-deserved try through number eight Dave Cosgrove after a series of pacey attacks led to a series of short drives on the hosts’ line.

With the conversion competently despatched by Greg Bannister the lead was reduced to 12-7 and Westcliff were at last in the game.

But Barnes were then awarded a penalty try and prop Shaun Roberts received a yellow card for illegal interference of a drive close to the Westcliff line.

A man down and behind 19-7 Westcliff were up against it and had to dig deep.

But, during this period, they fought hard and not only kept their line intact but also forced a converted try when replacement Ash Whiting touched down and Bannister added the conversion.

Restored to 15 men and only a score behind Westcliff enjoyed a period of dominance as the half closed and it was no surprise when George Parmenter ghosted through a midfield gap to score under the posts.

The conversion made it 21-19 to Westcliff at half-time but Barnes hit back in the 46th minute with a well worked try and a well struck conversion.

However, their lead was to be short-lived as, just five minutes later, Bannister was on hand to take a scoring pass and finish a move to make it 26-26.

As the game approached the final quarter a raid down the left flank with some sharp inter-passing allowed Ross Merrick to cross and Bannister to convert to put Westcliff 33-26 ahead.

However a purple patch for the hosts saw them add a try to level the score at 33-33 before another effort gave them a 38-33 lead they were able to hold on to during the final 10 minutes of the match.

Westcliff: Bannister, O’Brien, Reynolds, Parmenter, Merrick, Ansell, Jones, S Roberts , Hopkins, Binneman, Dartnell, Barnett, M Roberts , Marsh, Cosgrove.

Replacements: Whiting, Scoggins, Argentieri