WESTCLIFF’S director of rugby Rick Compton was happy with the result but not the performance following his side’s 42-22 win at bottom of the table Towcestrians.

Westcliff trailed 15-14 at half-time before fighting back to triumph in the second period.

But Compton felt Westcliff - who remain fifth in the London & SE Premier Division standings - were not at their best.

“It was an afternoon when the outcome was more satisfying than the performance,” said Compton.

“The maximum five match points were welcome as was a return to winning ways after losing the previous two games.

“We were not at our best and we may well play better and not win but when the serious questions were asked we eventually answered them.

“Credit must go as well to Towcester who competed strongly throughout and made us work hard for every inch of ground.”

Westcliff - who played in the colours of the Aaron Lewis Foundation - started slowly and enabled Towcestrians to grab the game’s first try. However, the visitors soon hit back with Joe Vandermolen barging his way over the line to score a try Jack Jones converted to secure a 7-5 lead.

Westcliff were unable to build on the try though and Towcestrians replied with a try and a penalty which put them 15-7 in front. Westcliff were still lacking focus and precision but turned to the set piece to get them back in the game and that resulted in Ewan Binneman bundling over from short range in the closing action of the half.

After the break, Vandermolen scored his second try of the game before Joel Fenton also touched down. Jones converted both efforts to put Westcliff 28-15 ahead and the visitors remained on top with another try from Binneman extending their advantage. For a while Westcliff threatened to cut loose but without actually doing so.

Despite that, Towcestrians were beaten but far from unbowed and as the game meandered to its conclusion they scored a third try in the left hand corner which was well converted to reduce the arrears to 35-22. With the possibility of claiming a try scoring bonus point the hosts were keen to have another crack at the Westcliff defence before the final whistle. But instead the visitors cut through after a sharp exchange of passes for Harry Branch to score under the posts as the game finished 42-22 in Westcliff’s favour.

Westcliff: S Brown, O Jones, Stol, Reynolds, Fenton, J Jones, Branch, C Brown, Hopkins, Binneman, Webster, Edwards, Maloney, Marsh, Vandermolen. Replacements: Macintyre, J Smith & Cross