WESTCLIFF slipped down to sixth in the London & SE Premier Division standings after suffering a 24-16 defeat against Tunbridge Wells.

The two teams are currently battling it out to finish fifth in the table.

And Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton was frustrated to come out second best.

“It was a bit frustrating and we didn’t do ourselves justice really,” said Compton.

“We didn’t get our attacking game going properly, we lacked precision, forced too much and tried to play in the wrong areas.

“Against weaker opposition we might have got away with being a bit off key but Tunbridge are a good side and were in no mood to let us off the hook and took their opportunities well.

“The two cards were probably telling too.

“I felt they deserved theirs more than we did ours and in truth I am still not sure why we received one.

“But we failed to score while they were short but shipped 12 points when down ourselves and that probably cost us the game.”

Despite the final score-line, Westcliff started strongly and seemed set to take the lead, only for play to be called back for a controversial forward pass decision.

However, two penalties from Jack Jones soon put Westcliff 6-0 in front before a visiting player was sent to the sin bin.

Westcliff could not make their extra man count though and with the visitors back to full strength, the hosts were then also reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when James Webster was harshly yellow carded.

Wells took full advantage with a try to lead 7-6 at half-time before they bagged another try a the start of the second period.

Westcliff replied with a try from Ross Merrick before Wells bagged another one of their own to lead 17-11. The visitors soon extended their lead with another try before Westcliff fought back with a try from Jim Smith. However, it came too late to spark a fightback.

Westcliff: Reynolds, O Jones, Stol, R Smith, Merrick, J Jones, Weston, Macintyre, Binneman, Webster, Edwards, Vandermolen, Hatton, J Smith. Replacements: Hopkins, Scogings & Branch