WESTCLIFF surged out of the National Three London & SE relegation zone with a 30-8 win against Gravesend.

Westcliff had failed to beat the Kent club in six previous attempts at this level.

But there were no such difficulties at the weekend and that delighted Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton.

“It was a tough game that wasn’t won until late on but it was great to get a bit of a monkey off our back having previously not beaten them in league rugby,” said Compton.

“More than that though, it also moved us up two places in the league and puts us level on points with the side immediately above us.

“What was also really pleasing was the performances of newcomers to the team.

“They have been pressed into first team action in some cases probably earlier than expected but they have held their own and have made massive contributions in recent weeks.”

Westcliff played first into a significant breeze at the weekend and went in front after just six minutes with a try from winger Ross Merrick.

Gravesend hit back with a penalty to cut Westcliff’s lead to 5-3 at the break but the hosts scored first in the second half with George Parmenter kicking a penalty.

Parmenter then touched down for a try that he also converted to extend Westcliff’s lead to 15-3 as the game entered the final quarter.

Parmenter soon added a further penalty before Jim Smith crashed over for a try.

Gravesend replied with a try of their own but Westcliff still had the final word when a series of drives ended in Smith touching down under the posts for his second try of the afternoon.

Parmenter added the extras to take his points tally to 15 in what could prove to be an incredibly important win for Westcliff.

Westcliff: Roskams, Allingham, Parmenter, O’Brien, Merrick, Dudman, Whiting, Weston, Smith, Binneman, Lane, Scoggins, Mackintyre, Marsh, S Reynolds.

Replacements: Meakin, Barnett & Anderson-Brown