WESTCLIFF hero Chris Dudman felt both sets of players represented their clubs brilliantly in Saturday’s eagerly anticipated local derby with Southend.

Dudman’s first half try helped Westcliff win the National Three London & SE clash 10-7 at the Gables.

But, with a crowd of more than 1,000 in attendance, Dudman insisted it had been a brilliant day for local rugby.

“It was great to get the win, and the number of spectators there just made the occasion even better,” said the full-back.

“It’s a great local sporting rivalry that the two clubs share and I think it’s brilliant how the players represented their clubs on Saturday.”

And Dudman was also not too surprised how the match unfolded.

“The game was extremely tense but I think after the first game earlier on in the season both sides were expecting another huge physical battle,” he said.

“At times the game was scrappy due to the nerves and the poor conditions but the game was always going to be decided on a few key moments and that’s how it proved.”

Westcliff’s win was their fifth in seven games and saw them remain in ninth place.

And Dudman believes Westcliff are now being rewarded for all the hard work they have put in this season.

“We have been putting in some great performances in recent months and our hard work is beginning to pay off,” said Dudman.

“We had missed out narrowly on a few matches but we were glad to see this game through to the end.”

But Dudman was also keen to point out Westcliff would not be getting carried away about the victory.

“As much as we enjoyed the win it is important that we rest up now over Christmas and then re-group and continue our progression up the table when the break is over,” he stressed.

“There is still a long way to go this season.”

Westcliff return to action at table-topping Tonbridge Juddian in early January and will be making the trip on the back of a win, which delighted their director of rugby Rick Compton.

“It’s a first win against Southend since 1982 and of course that’s very satisfying,” he said.

“Having laid down a marker back in September, we were very keen to back it up and secure local bragging rights until the next time the sides step toe to toe.

“But more than any of that it was an important win and four precious match points in our national league campaign.

“We have now achieved the first of our objectives for the season by surpassing at this early stage both our number of wins and total match points gained for the whole of last season.”

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