4:40pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
Westcliff were made to work hard for a 26-9 triumph over Ruislip.
Within two minutes, the Aviation Way-based side were in to a lead they were not to lose when Ben McKeith hoisted the flags for a penalty.
Five minutes later he doubled the lead the same way and each time judged the strong wind to perfection to see the ball sail over.
Stung by this, Ruislip, who are now fifth just behind third placed Westcliff, went on the attack.
And the home defence had a couple of anxious moments before the visitors were repelled.
Westcliff’s forward took on the experienced Ruislip eight and in the end were pushing them back in the scrum.
On 25 minutes, Westcliff were back in the Ruislip half and speedy lock Simon Jones was on hand to go in for a try and an 11-0 lead at half-time.
The Middlesex side got on the board with a penalty and added another to creep nearer at 11-6.
But McKeith landed his third penalty goal to take the lead out to 14-6.
And then a super move took the ball from deep in Westcliff territory up field and Jon Sigwart was over for a try which was not converted.
Ruislip kicked a third penalty for 19-9. But then Elliot Levy sped away for a try which Paul Dan converted to round off the scoring to leave Westcliff’s acting skipper Ben Ryan delighted at the whistle.
“That was definitely a game of two halves with the boys getting better and better to help us get a good result,” said Ryan.
“The scrum really went well and that too is an aspect we are improving.
“Though he didn’t score, Elliott Harvey was my man of the match.
“His running and tackling were superb.”
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