WESTCLIFF made it three wins in a row with a hard-fought 24-23 victory against Guernsey.

The triumph moved Westcliff up to 10th in the National Three London & SE standings and delighted director of rugby Rick Compton.

“It wasn’t straightforward and it wasn’t easy but we held our nerve and got our reward from a game I believe we would have lost last season so I’m really happy,” said Compton.

“The cards were complicating factors we could have done without and we left a few points out there but the effort and commitment from the lads was spot on.

“We have now won three games on the bounce and are really looking forward to this block of matches between now and Christmas time.

“That run starts next week away at Shelford and we will head there in good spirit whatever the mid-week medical updates may bring.”

Despite the final score-line on Saturday it was Guernsey who went in front with a penalty before Westcliff replied with a try from Jack Hopkins which was converted by Jack Jones.

Guernsey regained the lead with another try but Westcliff were quick to respond with Hopkins scoring his second try of the game.

Jones’ conversion made it 14-8 before Guernsey replied with a penalty to cut the home-side’s lead to 14-11 at half-time.

After the break, Westcliff began to impress with Jones teeing up Jon Rudd who inexplicably spilled the ball when at the line and unopposed.

However, Westcliff’s efforts were not to go unrewarded and skipper Harry Branch soon sniped off the back of a rolling forward drive to scored a try which Jones once more converted to establish a 10 point lead at 21-11.

But Westcliff then started to create difficulties for themselves through lapses in concentration and discipline.

Hopkins was the first to be shown a yellow card in comical albeit damaging circumstances when he misjudged which opposing player had collected a high kick forward.

Guernsey were quick to take advantage as they scored a converted try but they failed to add any further points during Hopkins’ absence.

When he returned Jones kicked a penalty to put Westcliff 24-18 ahead before the hosts were again reduced to 14 men when Joe Vandermolen saw yellow after reacting aggressively to a spitefully directed knee drop to a team mate on the floor.

Guernsey again capitalised with a try to cut Westcliff’s lead down to just a single point with several minutes still to play.

But Westcliff held firm and once restored to a full contingent closed out the game by controlling possession deep inside the visitors half to secure an important and deserved but far from uncomplicated victory.

Westcliff: Dudman, Reynolds, Rudd, Tupuola, Merrick, Jones, Weston, Hopkins, Lane, Scoggins, Edwards, Jobling, Marsh, Vandermolen Replacements: Brown, Macintyre & Smith