WESTCLIFF were beaten 52-10 on their return to action at the Gables.

Westcliff had been without a home game for the past four weeks in National Two South.

But, despite the defeat, first team manager Rick Compton was pleased with the commitment on show.

“It was another tough encounter which at this level they all are, but as always the lads showed up with full commitment and effort,” said Compton.

“Despite the difficulties they have faced it’s very evident that the group has grown and continues to improve.

“That progression will soon reap reward and the next opportunity will come when we travel to Henley next week.”

Westcliff started well on Saturday and, although their very first probings failed to bear fruit, patience and perseverance soon brought reward when skipper Greg Bannister broke the defensive line to score an early try he subsequently converted.

The visitors quickly reduced the arrears through a penalty and for the next 20 minutes the efforts of both sides were unrewarded despite best efforts.

There was however a sense that Barnes were starting to carry more threat and after 33 minutes Mason Nicholls was invited to take a ten minute breather after a maul was collapsed.

From the resultant penalty and lineout Barnes drove over and they hit the front after the conversion with a 10-7 lead.

They proceeded to take maximum advantage of their numerical supremacy and scored two further converted tries before the end of the half.

The complexion of the game had dramatically changed and although after the restart Westcliff were first to score through the boot of Bannister all their further efforts came to nothing.

Instead Barnes increased their grip and control of the game, scoring a further four converted tries to secure a convincing win, which although the final 52-10 score line may have flattered a little, was fully deserved.

Westcliff have now been beaten in all 17 of their matches this season and remain bottom of the table.

Westcliff: Bannister, Olanrewaju, Hogarth, Slater, Ajeigbe, Gladdish, Comber, Brown, Lynch, Binneman, Doyle, Scogings, Nicholls, Walker, Smith.

Replacements: H Morrant, Dufficy, Dane, B Morrant & Meakin.