WESTCLIFF maintained their push for promotion with a 46-12 victory against Chingford.

The hard fought win means third-placed Westcliff are still one of three teams who can win the league on the final day of the London & SE Premier Division season this weekend.

And Westcliff’s director of rugby Rick Compton felt it was a fine way to finish off at the Gables.

“It was a good win and a fitting way to draw the curtain on our league campaign at home for this season,” said Compton.

“We dropped the ball for a while in the third quarter but otherwise maintained control and played at times some good rugby.

“Intriguingly results elsewhere mean we go into the final game of the season at Dorking next week with all outcomes possible.

“We can and will finish in first, second or third. We will be champions, play-off contenders or unlucky losers. Which of those will come to pass I couldn’t say but it’s going to be an interesting afternoon.

“However things turn out it has been another great season and one to remember and celebrate and one in which the players can be rightly proud.”

A penalty from Jack Jones put Westcliff in front at the weekend and the fly-half also converted a try from Ross Merrick.

Westcliff continued to carry the greater threat and further pressure resulted in a try for Bill Morrant which this time went unconverted before Merrick also touched down to make it 20-0.

Moments before the break, Chris Marsh bagged another try Jones converted but the resumption in play was untidy for the hosts, whose discipline faltered. From the restart they forced a penalty, but it was immediately reversed for an act of petulance and Chingford were on the front foot.

Shortly afterwards Billy Morrant received a yellow card which unsettled their set piece and the visitors took advantage to score two quickfire tries - one of which was converted.

The shift in momentum put Westcliff off their stride for the first time but they steadied the ship and slowly began to reassert themselves.

As a result, Jake Spivey soon touched down before George Maloney and Jones did likewise to seal another pleasing win for Westcliff.

Westcliff: Bannister, Spivey, Reynolds, Jones, Merrick, McKeith, H Morrant, Weston, B Morrant, Binneman, Scogings, Lane, Marsh, Hatton, J Smith. Replacements: Brown, Maloney & R Smith