WESTCLIFF’S director of rugby Rick Compton labelled his side the best in the club’s history after they saw off Sutton & Epsom 36-15 in National Three London & SE.

The victory came in Westcliff’s final home outing of the season and also ended a run of three successive defeats, much to the delight of Compton.

“It was a great way to sign off for the season at home and it was much appreciated by the voluble support,” said Compton.

“We have had a little dip recently mainly because we have not been able to get out the side we wanted but Saturday was a welcome return to form particularly in the set piece where we have struggled in the last two games.

“It’s been a great season and the lads and coaching staff should all be very pleased with their efforts and achievements.

“Whatever happens in our final game at Hertford in two weeks’ time we will finish in our highest ever position at this the highest level we have ever competed at.

“We are currently seventh and have beaten everyone below us, a few above us and pushed hard almost all the others.

“This team, 16 of which on Saturday have progressed through the club’s junior and youth system from boy to man are in that regard the best team the cub has ever produced.”

Despite the final score-line, relegation threatened Sutton & Epsom opened the scoring with a penalty before Westcliff responded positively gaining territory and asserting considerable pressure on the Sutton set piece.

After a couple of infringements on their own line resulting in a series of scrums the visitors were eventually pushed back over their line and George Maloney, Westcliff’s number eight, touched down.

Moments later, deputising winger Chris Marsh also bagged a try to put Westcliff 10-3 in front before Sutton levelled things up just before half-time with a converted try.

However, Westcliff stepped things up at the start of the second half and a counter attack in the 43rd minute saw winger Ross Merrick win a foot chase to touch down close enough to the posts for Chris Dudman to convert.

Westcliff then went further in front when Charlie Jobling burst through from short range to touch down for the bonus point try.

Dudman converted to put the hosts 24-10 in front and they were now firmly back in control against a side that continued to press and compete hard.

But, in the final quarter, two further tries were scored through James Scoggings and Andrew Roskams stretching the lead to 36-10 before Sutton scored a late consolation try.

Westcliff: Roskams, Marsh, Dudman, Reynolds, Merrick, Whiting, Branch, Brown, Hopkins, Binneman, Edwards, Scoggings, Vandermolen, Jobling, Maloney Replacements: Macintyre, Ashcroft & Cross