WESTCLIFF suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, losing 24-17 at Tring.

Westcliff had been hoping to bounce back from a painful last gasp loss to Sutton & Epsom.

But they were unable to overcome a determined Tring side, much to the frustration of Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton.

“It was a disappointing result and the first time we have lost back-to-back games all season,” said Compton.

“We didn’t have enough quality but the performance was honest and not too displeasing.

“We had a lot of changes and with every second row in the club injured or absent we struggled at the lineout, which denied us a platform there.

“Two in-game injuries to Maloney and Billy Morrant set us back further.”

But there were still pleasing aspects to the performance.

“It was good to give a debut to Kwame Kwassi from the bench and it was one he can be pleased with,” said Compton.

“But last week took a lot out of us as it, judging by their result, did to Sutton as well, and this game came too soon.

“However, everyone must deal with the highs and lows so we will put our feet up, nurse sore limbs, hope for injuries to be overcome and look to come back swinging after the break.”

The defeat leaves Westcliff third in the London & SE Premier Division standings, seven points behind leaders Sutton with just four games to go.

Westcliff took a while to get into their stride at the weekend but opened the scoring with a penalty from Jack Jones.

The hosts hit back with a converted try before a try from Andrew Roskams which was converted by Jones put Westcliff 10-7 in front at half-time.

Tring scored a converted try at the start of the second half but Westcliff again replied with Greg Bannister touching down for a try Jones converted to make it 17-14 to the visitors.

However, Tring replied with a try and a penalty to seal their win.

Westcliff: Bannister, Brown, Spivey, Jones, Roskams, Whiting, H Morrant, Lane, B Morrant, Binneman, Scogings, Maloney, Marsh, Hatton, Smith. Replacements: Dellas, Weston & Kwassi