WESTCLIFF’S director of rugby Rick Compton labelled Wimbledon the best team in the league after suffering a 43-0 defeat in south-west London.

Second placed Wimbledon produced a dominant display to condemn Westcliff to a second defeat in succession.

But Compton also felt his own’s side lack of recent action played a part in their downfall.

“I have mixed feelings about Saturday’s game,” said Compton.

“We played in my view the league’s best team and I have no problem admitting they were a bit bigger, a bit better and a more mature side than us.

“It was evident though that most of the lads had only had 80 minutes of rugby since mid-December and some hadn’t played at all since then.

“Being a bit off the pace and having to play more than 25 minutes with only 14 men allowed Wimbledon to dominate the key areas and as a result we haemorrhaged penalties all afternoon.

“We conceded 31 points while down to 14 and really that killed us.

“We also picked up some unwelcome bumps and bruises today in what was a fiercely contested game throughout.

“We will have to see who is available to us for the visit to Westcombe Park but the squad depth is likely to be sorely tested.”

Westcliff remain in 10th.

Westcliff: Dudman, Reynolds, Tupuola, Bard, Merrick, Jones, Branch, Lane, Hopkins, Binneman, Edwards, Scoggings, Vandermolen, Jobling, Maloney Replacements: Morrant, Macintyre & Marsh