Wesctcliff Rugby Club lose ground at bottom

The setback was Westcliff’s fifth in succession.

And they now sit 14 points from safety, much to the disappointment of first team manager Rick Compton.

“It was a game we felt we could do well in and win and in failing to do so we have become detached from the sides immediately above us in the relegation dogfight,” said Compton.

“Hope remains but it’s a tall order from the position we are now in and this was a desperately disappointing and damaging result.”

Guernsey were able to race into a 14-0 lead in the opening exchanges.

And Compton felt it was the slow start which cost Westcliff the game.

“Guernsey are a good side well-staffed with quality and experience and giving them the start we did was unforgivable and cost us the match,” said Compton.

“We gave ourselves too much to do in a game that we had to get something from.

“We gave up turnover ball in our own 22 from which we conceded needless scores and played too loose in attack giving up hard earned opportunities too easily. “

Guernsey bagged two tries inside the opening 13 minutes before Westcliff hit back with a try from scrum-half Harry Branch who was making his home debut for the club.

Branch added the conversion to cut the visitors’ lead to 14-7 but Guernsey soon replied with another converted effort of their own.

However, Westcliff were soon back on the front foot with Sam Reynolds bagging a converted try before a penalty was also kicked to reduce Guernsey’s lead to 21-17 at half-time.

Another penalty soon cut the advantage to just a point with just 12 minutes to go.

But Guernsey responded well and, after driving deep into Westcliff territory, their large forwards got over close to the posts to secure their victory and another disappointing defeat for the home-team.

Westcliff: Roskams, Sigwart, Crossley, B Reynolds, Merrick, Whiting, Branch, Weston, Macintyre, Whitmore, Scoggins, Edwards, Meredith, Marsh, S Reynolds.

Replacements: Miller, Lane & Bartlett.