WESTCLIFF stunned high-flying Westcombe Park with a fantastic 18-13 win at the Gables in National Three London & SE on Saturday.

Westcliff dug deep to secure the unexpected victory.

And their display delighted first team manager Rick Compton.

“It was a great result and performance from all 18 lads,” said Compton.

“We have been unfortunate not to gain greater reward for their efforts in recent weeks and this week they finally got what they deserved.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with them and it’s a great fillip for morale as the first half of the season comes to a close.”

The victory kept Westcliff 12th in the standings but their confidence has now been considerably boosted by the win.

“We remain where we were as the two teams above us beat the two teams below us but we are in good shape to fight it out with half a dozen sides in the bottom half of the table now,” said Compton.

“All of them we are both capable of beating and outscoring during the rest of the season.”

Westcliff took just five minutes to open the scoring at the weekend when Conor O’Brien touched down for a try.

Greg Bannister’s conversion struck the bar before Westcombe Park hit back with an unconverted try of their own to level the score at 5-5.

The Kent club soon kicked a penalty to take the lead for the first time but a penalty from Bannister made it all square at half-time.

At the start of the second period, Westcliff initially appeared to be knocking on the door with an attacking line-out.

But an overthrow allowed Park not only to relieve pressure but to counter attack with ambition and quality.

Pace, handling and support play allowed them to score from deep and take a 13-8 lead.

The disappointment was palpable for Westcliff but their heads did not drop and they refused to fall away.

Instead they redoubled their efforts, repelling further attacks from the visitors and setting about the visiting defence with renewed vigour.

Their reward came on the hour mark when Bannister grubber-kicked behind the rushing defence and won the race to touch down under the posts.

His successful conversion put Westcliff 15-13 in front with 20 minutes to go and battle was resumed.

But another penalty from the in-form Bannister than sealed a stunning result for his side Westcliff: Argentieri, O’Conor, Parmenter, Mamea, Dudman, Bannister, Jones, Skidmore, Hopkins, Binneman, Dartnell, Barnett, Scoggins, Cosgrove, Reynolds Replacements: Dellas, Webster & Garstin