WESTCLIFF took just 17 players to East Grinstead and ended their National Three London and South East season with a 35-3 defeat.

With nothing left to play for but pride, Westcliff opted to not to pick players working their way back to full fitness.

And, with their second, third and fourth teams in domestic cup finals, it led to a shortage of numbers.

That made it tough going against East Grinstead, who finished in third position in the league table.

But doubts surrounding their future could yet hand Westcliff a relegation reprieve and their first team manager Rick Compton is still unsure what league they will be playing in next season.

“There is some uncertainty quite where we will be playing next season it being only clear at present that we will not meet East Grinstead,” said Compton.

“But wherever we kick-off our league campaign in September it will be with the nucleus of this young committed and capable side that the club is much pleased to have produced and of whom they are rightly proud.”

However, Westcliff found it tough at the weekend and, right from the outset, they were up against it as the hosts poured forward. The hosts dominated the early possession and breached the visitors’ defences twice in the opening 10 minutes to establish a 10-0 lead.

The Westcliff response was as pleasing to their coaching and management team as it was to a small but enthusiastic group of supporters.

Tremendous application created firstly the platform to ask questions of the home side for the first time which produced a penalty from the boot of Chris Dudman and then stubborn defiance in keeping their line intact during a 10-minute imposed rest for Ross Merrick.

But in time added on at the end of the half the hosts scored a further try in the corner to lead 20-3.

A try within minutes of the restart effectively ended the game as a contest.

However, Westcliff continued to show resistance and there were no further scores until the final eight minutes when East Grinstead stretched their lead to 35-3.

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

Replacements: Weston and Smith.