WESTCLIFF were seen off 26-12 in their rearranged London & SE Premier Division clash at Tring.

Westcliff were missing a number of key players for the contest.

But their director of rugby Rick Compton was still frustrated to return home empty handed.

“It was a bitterly cold day for rugby and coming away with nothing for our troubles was disappointing,” said Compton.

“Tring are a good side, as their results indicate, and in truth they were deserved winners.

“We never really secured enough quality ball to win the game.

“So many changes in the pack didn’t help and we weren’t at our best.

“The scrum held up OK but the line-out was not always what we wanted and our loose game wasn’t as forceful and productive as normal.

“Nevertheless necessity is the mother of invention and there were some encouraging performances from lads stepping in and up, some at late notice.

“Particular praise is reserved for Matt Meakin on his first first team outing in a few years and whose staggering 80 minute contribution was possibly as long as his combined second team appearance time to date this season.

“Alex Hatton was also rewarded for some excellent outings in the Lions with a debut from the bench which, after an injury to Jim Smith, came earlier than might have been expected.

“But it was an opportunity which he grasped with both hands.

“Next week we are back on the road to play Sutton & Epsom with hopefully a few more options and if so with a few interesting decisions to make.

“But we are looking forward to the game.”

Tring opened the scoring with an unconverted try at the weekend before they increased their advantage in stoppage time with another try to lead 12-0 at half-time.

After the break, Westcliff hit back with a try from Ross Merrick before the pivotal moment arrived when Joe Vandermolen was yellow carded for a perceived driving maul offence.

During his absence, third-placed Tring bagged another try to lead 19-5 before both teams scored tries late on.

Westcliff’s was scored by Sam Brown and converted by Jack Jones before the hosts made sure of their bonus point win with another try of their own to remain in the hunt for promotion.

The defeat kept Westcliff fifth in the table with four games of the season to go.

Westcliff: Brown, Reynolds, Stol, R Smith, Merrick, J Jones, Spivey, Weston, Macintyre, Meakin, Webster, Edwards, Ashcroft, Vandermolen, J Smith