WESTCLIFF recovered from a shaky start to see off Guernsey 34-17 in National Three London & SE.

Westcliff fought back well to secure just their second win of the season at the Gables.

And their first team manager Rick Compton felt the final score-line showed the lessons his side have already learnt this term.

“The lads have seen with some pain in recent weeks that a game is never won until it’s over,” said Compton.

“But that lesson has stood them in good stead because the opposite is equally true and a game is never lost until it’s over, certainly not inside the first 10 minutes.

“We started poorly and the players won’t be able to hide from that but they responded superbly to run out convincing winners.

“It’s a great result and the bonus point win is very welcome.

“I am delighted with the lads and I'm delighted for them as well.”

Guernsey bagged two tries inside the opening 10 minutes and things were looking grim for Westcliff at that stage.

The home-side were able to hit back in the 34th minute when Jack Jones collected a fine kick through from Greg Bannister to score.

But Guernsey soon replied with a penalty to lead 17-5 at half-time.

Westcliff stepped things up after the break though, with George Parmenter sniping over for a try from short range.

Moments later, Bannister bamboozled several would be tacklers on a run from 20 metres out that ended with the winger grounding the ball underneath the posts.

Jones’ conversion made the score 17-17 before Westcliff went in front for the first time in the 65th minute when Sam Reynolds forced his way over after a series of drives on the line.

The conversion made it 24-17 but the result remained uncertain until the 72nd minute when an attempted clearance from the Guernsey full back was both charged down and collected by Bannister who dashed over once more from 20 metres.

With just eight minutes to go the points looked secure and Guernsey finally beaten and so it was to prove but not before Reynolds scored his second try of the afternoon to seal a very satisfying 34-17 victory.

Westcliff: Argentieri, O’Brien, J Jones, Healy, Merrick, Bannister, Parmenter, Skidmore, Hopkins, Binneman, Dartnell, Anderson-Brown, Cosgrove, Scoggins, Reynolds.

Replacements: Dellas, Smith & Manea.