NATIONAL THREE LONDON & SE

Gravesend 32, Westcliff 41

WESTCLIFF lifted their spirits with a hard fought 41-32 win at Gravesend.

Westcliff’s relegation from National Three London & SE had already been confirmed before Saturday’s clash in Kent.

But Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton was still delighted to have completed the double over Gravesend who will also be in London One North next season.

“This was a decent performance and a satisfying result, high on effort and character complemented at times by moments of quality as well as familiar frailties,” said Compton.

“We were keen to get the win and secure 12th position in the league and we managed to do so after giving ourselves such a mountain to climb which is a credit to the lads.

“We will head to Grinstead to finish our league campaign in good spirits and after that we will look forward to next season whatever that may bring.”

Despite the final score-line, Westcliff initially seemed to be heading for another defeat at the weekend as their hosts raced into a 13-0 lead.

However, Chris Dudman replied with a penalty and, in the 32nd minute, he was also on hand to touch down for a try he converted to cut the home-side’s lead to 13-10.

Westcliff continued to press and their enterprise was further rewarded five minutes later when a controlled cross chip kick was collected by Dudman who exchanged passes with Andrew Roskams to allow the latter to score a second try.

Dudman added the conversion before Gravesend replied with a fortuitous try to lead 18-17 at half-time.

Gravesend extended their lead at the start of the second period with another try to lead 25-17.

But Westcliff bounced back when scrum half Harry Branch spotted a gap, feinted to spread the ball wide and bolted through score also under the posts to bring the visitors back to within a point.

A penalty from Dudman then put Westcliff 27-25 in front before they stretched their advantage with a try from flanker Chris Marsh which secured a bonus point.

However, Westcliff invited pressure back onto themselves by failing to deal with the restart and conceded a penalty which also saw number eight Sam Reynolds shown a yellow card.

That resulted in Gravesend soon scoring a try after a series of scrums to cut Westcliff’s lead to just two points.

But the visitors were able to keep the ball tight in the closing stages and sealed their win right at the death when Harley Skidmore drove over from close range for a try Dudman converted with the final kick of the game.

Westcliff: Roskams, Dudman, B Reynolds, O’Brien, Merrick, Whiting, Branch, Skidmore, Mackintyre, Whitmore, Lane, Edwards, Scoggins, Marsh, S Reynolds

Replacements: Miller, Hopkins & Boughtwood