WESTCLIFF suffered a heartbreaking 32-31 defeat to 14 man Tonbridge Juddians with the visitors kicking a last gasp penalty to win the game.

Westcliff had seemed set to give their survival hopes a huge boost when they led 19-0.

But they were edged out right at the death, much to the disappointment of their first team manager Rick Compton.

“It was very frustrating afternoon once more and for the second home game in a row we have let a winning position go,” said Compton.

“In fact we let it go twice in this game but much credit must go to the visitors who are a good side with quality and maturity in abundance. “Nevertheless it was our own nervousness and naivety that has cost us dear.”

As a result, Westcliff remain one just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

And Compton knows the team must be able to see out matches if they are to avoid relegation.

“The two bonus points have kept us out of the bottom three for another week but unless we convert opportunities into positive results we will not stay out,” said Compton.

“However, it remains our view that we are capable of getting those results and our determination in pursuing them remains undiminished.”

Westcliff took the lead after seven minutes when the in-form Sam Reynolds crashed over from close range.

Greg Bannister added the conversion before Ross Merrick also went in for a try which made it 12-0.

Moments later, a cynical infringement stopped a further scoring opportunity for Westcliff and led to a well merited yellow card being shown.

However, the offending player then also struck a Westcliff player on his way off the pitch and was shown a straight red card.

The hosts immediately took advantage of the extra man as Oliver Jones scored a try which was also converted.

But the visitors hit back with a try of their own just before the break to cut Westcliff’s lead to 19-7 at half-time.

Tonbridge remained on top after the break and a penalty and a converted try brought them back to within two points of their hosts.

Suddenly the confidence had evaporated from the Westcliff game and their numerical advantage seemed to be an illusion.

As a result, another penalty soon put Tonbridge 22-19 ahead before Westcliff replied with Merrick scoring his second try of the afternoon.

Bannister’s conversion was followed by a try from Isaiah Mamea to put Westcliff 31-22 in front.

However, Tonbridge continued to attack and bagged a late try under the posts to get back to within two points of the home team.

And they then completed what had appeared to be an unlikely comeback with a stoppage time penalty to break Westcliff’s hearts.

Westcliff: Bannister, Mamea, Jones, O’Brien, Merrick, Dudman, Parmenter, Brown, Whiting, Binneman, Dartnell, Anderson-Brown, Smith, Cosgrove, Reynolds.

Replacements: Hopkins, Scoggins & Harvey.