WESTCLIFF maintained their National Three London & SE status with a stunning 8-7 win against second placed Barnes on the final day of the season on Saturday.

The narrow victory ensured Westcliff avoided relegation on points difference.

And it left a proud first team manager Rick Compton a very happy man at the final whistle.

“As a club we couldn’t be happier or prouder of the team,” said Compton.

“The game was fast and intense from the first minute to the last against a very good side.

“But the result and those against Grinstead and Chichester in the previous two games have proved what we have always said, this young, brave and talented squad of local lads developed by the clubs youth system belong at this level by right.

“We look forward to another campaign when then in September and we will challenge them to reach this level of form on a more consistent basis.

“But hats off to all 18 lads who delivered in the most testing of circumstances.”

Westcliff started well at the weekend but found the visitors resolute and aggressive in defence.

Persistence though brought reward and eventually Westcliff created an opportunity on the right flank which initially Barnes closed down but which through patience and speed of mind and foot saw the ball travel back to the left flank allowing Ross Merrick to dash home in the corner.

The difficult conversion into the challenging breeze fell away and Westcliff led 5-0.

Stung into action the visitors responded and asserted pressure of their own which saw them cross the line wide right and the resulting conversion put Barnes 7-5 ahead.

After that, the contest remained intense with Westcliff enjoying the better of it but Barnes also displayed real threat when the opportunity arose.

As the half drew to a close the Westcliff pressure forced a penalty but again the attempt was unsuccessful and they trailed by two points at the break.

Immediately after the interval though, Westcliff were awarded another penalty and George Parmenter held his nerve to send the kick between the posts to establish an 8-7 lead.

For the remainder of the match, the two sides continued to batter away at each other in a contest not for the feint hearted.

An exchange of missed penalties occurred as the half progressed and as the clock ran down a further long range effort from Chris Dudman also failed.

As the game entered its final moments Westcliff were able to contain the visitors in their own half for periods but not without moments of break out and anxiety as they sought to extend their impressive winning streak.

But Westcliff were able to hang on to make sure of both a memorable victory and their National Three London & SE status.

Westclff: Argentieri, O Jones, O’Brien, Mamea, Merrick, B Jones, Parmenter, Meakin, A Whiting, Brown, Anderson-Brown, Scoggins, Smith, Cosgrove, Reynolds.

Replacements: Morrant, R Whiting & Dudman