WESTCLIFF finally recorded their first win of the season, beating Chichester 18-10 at the Gables.

Westcliff had been beaten in their opening eight games of the National Three London & SE campaign.

But they dug deep to break their duck at the weekend, much to the delight of first team manager Rick Compton.

“Relief and joy in equal measure were evident at the final whistle at the arrival at last of a vital win,” said Compton.

“It was a tough, uncomprom-ising game and we are of course delighted to register our first win.

“There were some very pleasing aspects not least our discipline under pressure, our management of the game and the way we managed to get over the line from a winning position.

“Closing out the game is something the coaching staff have been drumming into the guys and on Saturday it paid off.”

Despite the victory, Westcliff remain second from bottom in the standings.

And Compton is keen to build on the victory.

“While this win is encouraging it is only one small step and we need to make sure we don’t take our eye off the ball,” said Compton.

“We need to back this win up with a positive result at Eton Manor on Saturday now.”

Despite the final score-line, it was Chichester who opened the scoring after just six minutes when a well-directed kick from their fly-half allowed their winger to score.

However, Westcliff soon hit back with George Parmenter’s quickly-taken penalty enabling the supporting Chris Dudman to touch down.

Jack Jones added the difficult conversion to put the home side 7-5 in front before he was forced off injured.

Chichester took full advantage to bag another try but a penalty from Dudman made it 10-10 at half-time.

After the break, Dudman bagged another penalty to put Westcliff back in front.

The visitors hit back with a spell of pressure but were unable to break through the home side’s resolute defence.

And, with 80 minutes on the clock, Westcliff made sure of their first win of the season when they broke off the back of an untidy scrum and fed winger Ross Merrick, who scampered over in the corner to score.

Westcliff will now be looking to build on the victory when they travel to bottom of the table Eton Manor this weekend.

Westcliff: Ansell, Boughtwood, Jones, O’Brien, Merrick, Dudman, Parmenter, Whitmore, Smith, Binneman, Lane, Edwards, Scoggins, Marsh, Reynolds

Replacements: Meakin, Roberts & Roskams.