WESTCLIFF’s winning start to 2015 ended with a 25-17 defeat at home to Bury St Edmunds in National Three London & SE on Saturday.

Westcliff headed in to the game on the back of two successive defeats.

But they were unable to make it three in a row against the second placed visitors, much to the frustration of Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton.

“Ultimately it was a very frustrating afternoon from which we took nothing in terms of match points and a host of regrets for the way we handed scores to the opposition,” said Compton.

“Bury were clinical in converting the opportunities they were presented with but did very little to create those opportunities themselves.

“We made too many mistakes against a decent side and that is why we lost a game we might otherwise have won.

“We have put a lot of effort and energy into our game in recent weeks and we owe it to ourselves and each other to be candid.

“With two weeks now until the next game, which is a vital home clash against Tring, we need to put behind us the disappointment of the loss but not the lessons we need to take from it.”

Bury went in front after just five minutes with a try from their winger but Westcliff hit back with Jim Smith crashing over for a try which was converted by Jack Jones.

The home-side then went even further in front with a try from Sam Reynolds which made it 12-5.

However Bury clearly remained a threat and got back in to the game when a poor kicking option from Westcliff allowed them to a launch a counter-attack which eventually led to a converted try to make it 12-12 at half-time.

After that, Bury took advantage of Ben Jones receiving attention for a cut and another poor kick, to score a try under posts.

But Westcliff soon hit back with Reynolds scoring his second try of the game to cut Bury’s lead to 19-17.

The hosts then attempted to regain the lead and, as the clock ticked down, there was an exchange of penalties.

Bury successfully kicked theirs before Westcliff’s decision not to kick for the posts went unrewarded.

Westcliff then also conceded a needless penalty, which Bury successful kicked right at the death to deny Westcliff the consolation of a losing bonus point.

Westcliff: Bannister, B Reynolds, Parmenter, Mamea, Dudman, J Jones , B Jones, Dellas, Hopkins, Binneman, Dartnell, Anderson-Brown, Martyn, Roberts, S Reynolds

Replacements: Whiting, Smith & Argentieri.