WESTCLIFF slipped back down into the National Three London & SE relegation zone after suffering a 46-5 defeat against Westcombe Park.

Westcliff had been hoping to build on their win over Wimbledon.

But that never looked likely at the weekend, much to the disappointment of Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton.

“It was a pretty sobering afternoon as we came up well short against a top side in the division who will push hard for promotion,” said Compton.

“To be honest it looked like a game too may for some of the lads who have put in a hell of a lot in recent weeks and the Christmas break for them can’t come too soon.

“With more than 20 players unavailable this weekend the break will also provide an opportunity, it is hoped, for some of those to get over the injuries that have kept them out.

“But although we have slipped back into the bottom three within just seven days of climbing out of it we remain confident we can escape the drop come April.”

Westcombe Park, who are third in the table, broke the deadlock with an unconverted try after 15 minutes and stayed 5-0 in front until half-time.

After the break, the visitors bagged another unconverted try before Westcliff hit back with a try from Sam Reynolds which cut the visitors’ lead to 10-5.

However, Westcliff’s hopes of mounting a comeback were to be short-lived as the Kent club immediately replied with a try of their own before adding a further five in the final quarter to complete a convincing victory.

Westcliff: Roskams, Boughtwood, Parmenter, O’Brien, Merrick, Dudman, Weston, Mackintyre, Meakin, Scoggins, Roberts, Cosgrove, Marsh, Reynolds

Replacements: Miller, Bartlett & Lowe