WESTCLIFF suffered a third defeat in succession, losing 59-12 at Westcombe Park.

The setback saw Westcliff slip down to 11th in the National Three London & SE standings.

And Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton is now keen to see an improvement during what he believes will prove to be a key period in their season.

“With a difficult post-Christmas run of games behind us and with players hopefully returning to fitness and availability the focus now is on the next block of four games which will go a long way to defining our season,” said Compton.

“It was a tough afternoon for the lads on Saturday and having so many enforced changes didn’t help us out there.

“In some respects it’s a day to put behind us very quickly but it was great to see former skipper Ian Dartnell return to the side after a two year injury lay off.

“Also thanks are due to James Taylor and Conor Binstead who were drafted into the squad on the morning of the game and to Harrison King who returned from university to help out.”

Westcliff were forced to field a much changed side for Saturday’s game which had been rearranged when the Orpington pitches were snow covered in mid-January.

With several players unavailable due to long standing commitments and others not fully recovered from the bruising encounter at Wimbledon the visitors were further hampered by late withdrawals through illness on the morning of the game.

The opening exchanges were keenly contested and the hosts took the lead with a penalty.

Westcliff hit back with a penalty try to lead 7-3 but, as the half hour mark drew nearer, Westcombe Park responded with a catch and drive try of their own to take the lead once more at 10-7.

The final 10 minutes of the half were disastrous for the visitors as they fell afoul of the referee conceding penalties and collecting two yellow cards.

During this period Westcombe Park were able to exploit their advantage and score three quick-fire converted tries which gave them a decisive 31-7 half time lead.

Despite starting the second half with just 13 players , Westcliff held firm for the opening minutes and, when restored to 15, were able to score a second try through Chris Marsh.

But that was as good as it got as in the final 20 minutes the hosts scored a further four converted tries to complete a comprehensive win.

Westcliff: Dudman, Rudd, Reynolds, King, Merrick, Whiting, Branch, Morrant, Macintyre, Lane, Anderson-Brown, Dartnell, Hopkins, Marsh, Maloney Rep:Whiting, Taylor & Binstead