WESTCLIFF resumed their National Three London & SE season with a 24-0 defeat at table-topping Tonbridge Juddian.

Tonbridge have won 14 of their 15 games so far this season.

But their latest triumph left Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton ruing his side’s slow start to the game.

“There were positives to take away from the performance but some disappointment as well,” said Compton.

“When you travel away to play the league leaders you know you are in for a tough game and starting the game well is very important.

“Instead we found ourselves 7-0 down within 90 seconds and 12-0 after seven minutes and it was a start we never properly recovered from.

“That said there was a lot of hard work from a side that had several changes in it, all of whom acquitted themselves well which is encouraging in its own way.

“We return to Kent next week to take on third placed Westcombe Park and if we are able to start better we can hope to get greater reward from the game.”

Westcliff were forced to make five changes to their starting line up and the new look team went behind early on when an attempted clearance was charged down and dropped under the posts allowing Tonbridge to grab a converted try.

The hosts went further in front in the seventh minute as another try made it 12-0 before Westcliff began to find their feet, enjoying periods of possession and territorial advantage.

With the game still young, two goal-kicking opportunities were declined by Westcliff but they failed to capitalise on alternative options from the penalties.

The game continued at pace with both sides committed in defence and attack but neither troubled the scoreboard for the rest of the half.

The second half continued in a similar vein before Tonbridge added a further try on the hour mark.

Despite the setback, Westcliff continued to work hard, probing the well marshalled home defence but failed to find the breakthrough their efforts at least deserved.

For their part, the hosts were chasing a try scoring bonus point but as time ticked by it was not easily forthcoming.

There was jubilation and relief in equal measure for them when they got the breakthrough deep inside the last 10 minutes and the converted try stretched their lead to 24-0 to continue their charge for promotion and a place in National Two South next season.

The setback kept Westcliff ninth in the table, 11 points above the relegation zone ahead of this weekend’s tough looking trip to third placed Westcombe Park.

Westcliff: Dudman, Reynolds, Tupuola, Bard, Merrick, Jones, Branch, Miller, Macintyre, Lane, Scoggings, Jobling, Vandermolen, Marsh, Smith

Replacements: Morrant, Hopkins & Edwards