WESTCLIFF bagged the first National Two South victory in their history, winning 19-15 at Worthing.

Westcliff had suffered a number of close defeats since being promoted from the London & SE Premier Division last term.

And Westcliff’s team manager Rick Compton was thrilled to get over the line.

“It was a horrible day weather wise and it was a matter of winning ugly but it was also the sweetest of victories being long overdue and much needed,” said Compton.

“Obviously, everyone was delighted, as they should be, but it was particularly satisfying that the result was achieved by a 20-man matchday squad, all of whom played youth rugby at the club, including in Jack Hussey, Ewan Richmond and Jack Hogarth - three current under-18s.

“They’re not the first from the current group to break into the team nor in due course the last. Both made positive contributions from the bench in the second half.

“It was a very satisfying day of rugby all round and a perfect fillip for the club in advance of the visit of high-flying Henley Hawks next weekend, by which time England may once more be world champions.”

Westcliff went into Saturday’s clash on the back of seven successive defeats.

But Worthing had first use of the wind and the rain was at their back rather than in their faces.

They enjoyed the bigger share of possession and territory in the opening period and the hosts’ pressure finally told when they got around the outside of the defence and crossed the line for a converted try.

Worthing added a penalty but Westcliff responded by going back on the front foot and as the half drew to a close their perseverance and discipline were rewarded with a try under the posts from Rob Smith which was converted by Greg Bannister.

Taking advantage of the conditions and playing to them from the outset, Westcliff levelled the scores within two minutes of the restart through the reliable boot of Bannister.

The visitors stuck to their task playing to the corners and adopting a tight game and the penalties continued to flow.

Bannister struck with the boot twice more and as the game entered the final quarter the visitors led 16-10.

However, Worthing soon broke out and scored a try but the conversion drifted wide and the visitors maintained the slimmest of leads to defend.

Again, Westcliff played smart if unspectacular rugby and Bannister was given a further opportunity off the tee which he took to extended his 100 per cent record to seal a well-deserved win for the visitors, who have now moved off the bottom of the table and up to 15th.

Westcliff: Bannister, Kwassi, B Reynolds, R Smith, Hogarth, Croft, H Morrant, Meakin, B Morrant, Dellas, Scogings, Dartnell, Marsh, Webber, S Reynolds

Replacements: Richmond, Whiting, Hussey, Webster & Johnson