WESTCLIFF finished their best ever season with a hard-fought 35-24 win against Dorking.

Westcliff had already been assured of a sixth placed finish in the London & SE Premier Division before the game got underway at the Gables.

But Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton was pleased to sign off for the summer in style.

“It was a decent game with lots of positive rugby and moments of high quality punctuated with the flaws and errors that ambition and adventure often also produce,” said Compton.

“Both sides battled hard in the sun with no quarter being asked or given and despite the odd fractious moment it was played in good spirit.

“We are delighted to finish with a win as we have had a little dip lately as the demands of the season have tested our reserves and resources.

“The league campaign is over and having improved on last season’s highest finish we can reflect on it with a level of satisfaction and take a well-earned rest before turning our minds once more to the future and what it brings.”

Westcliff started strongly on Saturday and took the lead early on when Jim Smith powered over from short range to open the scoring.

Moments later, the home side doubled their lead when Jack Jones stabbed a well judged chip towards the line where Rob Smith was able to tee up Seb Reynolds to score.

Dorking soon replied with a try of their own from Cameron Pimlow but Westcliff were soon back on top and made it 15-7 with a try from winger Olly Jones.

The score stayed the same until the start of the second half when Westcliff skipper Harry Branch sniped through to extend his side’s lead.

After that, Westcliff continued to play adventurous rugby but a broken down move enabled Pimlow to bag his second try of the game for the visitors.

However, Westcliff soon raced clear with a try from Jack Jones which he also converted before his brother Olly sped through to touch down. That put Westcliff 30-14 in front and was enough for a final day victory despite the visitors scoring two tries late on.

Westcliff: McKeith, Reynolds, Stol, R Smith, O Jones, J Jones, Branch, Brown, Macintyre, Binneman, Scogings, Edwards, Hopkins, Marsh, J Smith.

Replacements: Vandermolen, Hatton & Ansell