WESTCLIFF’S miserable start to the National Three London & SE season continued with a fourth successive defeat on Saturday, losing 57-12 at Hertford.

Westcliff, who now sit second from bottom in the standings, were brushed aside by their aggressive hosts.

And Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton felt his side could have no complaints about the result.

“We were well beaten by a better side who were ruthless in their approach, “said Compton.

“There were able to exploit a couple of areas of our game in which we were exposed due to injuries.

“It is never good to be so soundly beaten but we know we will be in better shape in the weeks to come and this will be quickly put behind us.

“The one pleasing aspect was that we learned a lot about some of our up and coming youngsters and there were encouraging signs from fringe players who were introduced to national league rugby for the first time.

“It was a bit of an eye opener for them I’m sure but they will be the better for it.”

Westcliff were immediately on the back foot at the weekend as a confident and aggressive home team urged on by significant local support took control at the set piece and breakdown to provide a stream of front foot ball for their hungry back line.

They scored their first try as early as the fourth minute and by the 23rd had secured a bonus point by scoring their fourth try each of them was converted to put them 28-0 in front.

The next quarter was the best period of the game for Westcliff who began to assert themselves for sustained periods and carved out two tries of their own.

The first was scored by second row Rory Lane and the second by Chris Dudman, playing in the centre.

He had also converted the first try to make the score 28-12 before Hertford raced further ahead at the start of the second half with two quick tries.

Three more tries followed in the final 20 minutes, 10 of which saw Westcliff reduced to 14 men.

But they now face another tough test this weekend as they host table-topping Tonbridge Juddian at the Gables on Saturday.

Westcliff: Ansell, Boughtwood, Dudman, B Reynolds, Merrick, Jones, Parmenter, Meakin, Maloney, Miller, Barnett, Lane, Scoggins, Roberts, S Reynolds.

Replacements: S Roberts, Evans & R Whiting