WESTCLIFF were unable to build on their first win of the season as they suffered a 29-11 defeat at home to London Irish Wild Geese in National Three London and South East.

Westcliff had gone into the game on the back of a terrific win at Tring.

But they came crashing back to down earth at the weekend, much to the disappointment of their first team manager Rick Compton.

“The final score of 29-11 may have slightly flattered the visitors, but their victory was deserved,” said Compton.

“Although we were competitive and committed we must find a way to both stop conceding soft scores and convert hard-earned opportunities.

“In defence we missed a lot of first tackles allowing too many line breaks and in attack we butchered opportunities at the crucial moments.

“When we eliminate these shortcoming in our game the results will come but equally they won’t come until we do so.”

The early exchanges were combative and each side enjoyed territory and possession with try scoring opportunities both created and executed.

Westcliff’s try came from Ross Merrick who was on hand to finish an enterprising attack down the Irish short side before the home-side moved ahead in the 23rd minute when Jack Jones converted a penalty.

But not for the first time this season, Westcliff failed to concentrate at the restart surrendering possession cheaply, allowing the visitors to take the lead at 12-8.

Westcliff were then dealt a blow at half time when the impressive Gus Martyn was unable to retake the field of play having sustained a knee injury.

As conditions deteriorated, with persistent spells of rain breaking out, Westcliff had the edge territorially but the visitors were dangerous when counter-attacking from deep.

They exploited one such opportunity after 48 minutes to move into a 17-8 lead but the hosts were quick to respond with a Jones penalty.

During the next 20 minutes, Westcliff created three golden try scoring opportunities but through misfortune, bad luck and poor execution they failed to take any of them.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes, Irish demonstrated their own ruthless efficiency-creating and scoring two tries to take the game and any hope of a bonus point away from the hosts.

The defeat also saw Westcliff move back to the bottom of the table.

Westcliff: Dudman, Merrick, Parmenter, Mamea, Bannister, J Jones, B Jones, Whiting, Hopkins, Binneman, Dartnell, Mhlaba, Anderson-Brown, Meakin, Martyn. Replacements: Skidmore, Barnett & Argintieri