WESTCLIFF continued their recent revival with an impressive 41-17 win against Dorking.

The victory was Westcliff’s fourth in five games and delighted their director of rugby Rick Compton.

“This was a great result and performance,” said Compton, whose side are now ninth in National Three London & SE.

“It was an important and thoroughly deserved win that was very satisfying.

“The lads have been playing well in recent weeks and it’s great to see their efforts and those of the coaching team being so well rewarded.

“Dorking might feel that they were not at their best but we took a firm early grip and didn’t let them into it apart from the last 10 minutes when the game was won.

“We have two games now before the Christmas break now, both of which will be tough encounters of course, but which we can go into with confidence and morale high.”

Westcliff suffered an early blow when George Maloney was forced off with an ankle injury after just four minutes.

But his replacement Jim Smith scored two tries in quick succession despite not being fully fit and both were converted by Jack Jones who then also kicked a penalty to put Westcliff 17-0 in front.

Dorking were sure to respond and duly did so, benefiting from a strong driving maul and getting a forward over the line for an unconverted try.

However, Westcliff returned to Dorking territory and, despite committed defence, created a scoring opportunity for Buster Reynolds to touch down and Jones’ conversion put the hosts 24-5 in front at half-time.

After the break, Jones kicked another penalty and, in the 50th minute, full-back Chris Dudman scored a fine try and Jones converted to make it 34-5.

However, in the final 10 minutes, Dorking hit back with a try before Jones and Jon Rudd were both yellow carded.

The visitors forced home the advantage and were able to create the space wide right for another try to close the score to 34-17 but 13 man Westcliff still had the last word with Rupert Edwards touching down and Dudman adding the conversion.

Westcliff: Dudman, Reynolds, Tupuola, Rudd, Merrick, Jones, Branch, Brown, Hopkins, Binneman, Scoggings, Edwards, Maloney, Marsh, Vandermolen.

Replacements: Lane, Macintyre & Smith