WESTCLIFF suffered a ‘tough day’ at Taunton Titans, losing 43-10.

Westcliff went into the National Two South clash unbeaten in their last three outings.

But Westcliff’s first team manager Rick Compton admitted it had been a difficult afternoon against their high-flying hosts.

“It was a tough day for the lads and the sort of afternoon we knew we would have now and then when the club progressed to this level for the first time,” said Compton.

“Taunton were good value for the win, their team was peppered with quality, experience and power, and when they turned to the bench they had more of the same.

“Nevertheless, our guys really put in a shift and the performance overall was pleasing in terms of the effort and commitment shown.

“No time or need to reflect on it any further than that, it’s all about next week now and the visit of Worthing Raiders.

The hosts had the wind at their backs in the first half and hit the ground running, forcing the early pace and stretching the Westcliff defence.

After just two minutes they muscled over through a driving maul and by the end of the first quarter had added two more tries wide out through their left winger.

Each touchline conversion was struck sweetly making skilful use of the prevailing wind to carry the ball confidently between the uprights.

Westcliff trailed 21-0 with 60 minutes to play and had struggled to get any foothold in the game.

Another converted score for the hosts followed before they were able to respond with a try from Chris Marsh.

But the last score of the half though went to the third placed Titans and they led 33-5 at the break.

Westcliff no longer had the gale in their face and the contest was more even and the scores less frequent.

It took nearly 20 minutes for the first to arrive but again it was from the home team, and another followed shortly after to extend their lead to 43-5 with a little less than 20 minutes to go.

The Westcliff line remained intact for the rest of the game and indeed they had the last word with a well taken try from full-back Greg Bannister who touched down for the second week in succession.

The game finished 43-10 to make it a convincing and deserved victory for the Titans but it was a contest as well in which Westcliff had played their part and displayed dogged commitment throughout.

Westcliff remain 13th in the National Two standings, 11 points above the relegation zone in their first ever season at this level.

Westcliff will now be looking to get back to winning ways when they host 10th placed Worthing at the Gables this weekend.

Westcliff: Bannister, Hogarth, Campey, B Reynolds, Bean, Cummins, Spivey, Weston, Morrant, Binneman, Scogings, Vandermolen, Marsh, S Reynolds, Smith.

Replacements: Bolton, Webber, Dellas, Johnson, Lynch