WESTCLIFF suffered late heartbreak as they sunk to a 19-13 defeat against Hertford on the opening day of the National Three London & SE season.

Two tries from winger Ross Merrick had put Westcliff into a winning position at the Gables.

But the visitors bagged a decisive try in the closing stages to leave Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton with mixed emotions at the end of the match.

“It was a pleasing and encouraging performance but it was also deeply disappointing to have come up just short,” said Compton.

“Hertford proved to be a little more clinical when the opportunities arrived and that’s something we need to improve and will be working on.

“The basics of our game were sound and our levels were good.

“It’s also an improvement on where we were at this point last season which of course we must be.”

Both sides battled hard to get the upper hand at the start of Saturday’s clash.

But first blood went to Westcliff who engineered a try of quality and craft scored by winger Merrick.

Hertford hit back with an unconverted try of their own to level the scores.

But Westcliff were back on top just before the break when a well-weighted and judged pass from player-coach found Merrick who finished fantastically well to put the home side 10-5 in front at the break.

However, Hertford scored first in the second half to lead 12-10 before a penalty from Chris Dudman put Westcliff back in front.

A similar opportunity arrived soon after but this time the ball drifted narrowly wide and an opportunity to extend their lead slipped by. Westcliff enjoyed further periods of pressure but dogged, well-organised defence did just enough to keep them at bay.

Inevitably as time passed Hertford were able to create periods of pressure and scoring opportunities of their own.

And, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, they were able to force what was to be the winning score to lead 19-13.

As the game drew to a close Westcliff first had to withhold Hertford pressure to protect their bonus point and then sought to drive and carry from deep in an effort to create a match winning score which they were unable to do so.

Westcliff will now be looking to bounce back when they travel to local rivals Southend this weekend.

Westcliff: Roskams, Jones, Rudd, Dudman, Merrick, Whiting, Branch, Weston, Macintyre, Binneman, Jobling, Scoggins, Hopkins, Marsh, Maloney.

Replacements: Skidmore, Beavis & King.

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