WESTCLIFF won 34-17 at Brentwood - despite a number of their players being on a stag do in Benidorm.

Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton was forced to call upon individuals from the club’s second team.

And he was therefore thrilled to get the win which keeps third placed Westcliff in the hunt for the London & SE Premier Division title.

“Given the circumstances, in particular with so many lads on foreign shores, it was a satisfying result and at times performance,” said Compton.

“It was not perfect, but the lads got the job done and we remain in the title hunt.

“We now move on to what might be a season defining home fixture against league leaders Sutton & Epsom in a fortnight’s time.

“Hopefully half the team won’t book a winter break in the meantime!”

Westcliff went in front at the weekend with a penalty from Ben McKeith before ex Southend fly-half Brad Burr replied with one of his own for Brentwood.

Westcliff’s Joe Vandermolen then saw a try ruled out for a forward pass before the visitors regained the lead when Olly Jones teed up Greg Bannister to score.

Westcliff were then reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes following a yellow card to prop Brown but Brentwood failed to capitalise.

And Westcliff struck again on the stroke of half-time with Bannister and Jake Spivey helping to set Chris Marsh up to score and make it 15-3 at half-time.

Westcliff were on top at the start of the second half with two converted tries in the first 15 minutes.

Vandermolen touched down for a pushover try before Spivey raced home from deep to put Westcliff 29-3 in front and firmly in control.

Brentwood hit back with two tries of their own to cut Westcliff’s lead to 29-17 but the visitors responded and began to control possession more effectively.

As a result, Bannister made another fine break before the ball was recycled for scrum-half Henry Morrant to touch down and seal the win.

Westcliff: Bannister, O Jones, Spivey, Whiting, Merrick, McKeith, Weston, B Morrant, Brown, Anderson-Brown, Dartnell, Marsh, Hatton, Vendermolen

Replacments Macintyre, Webster & Harvey