WESTCLIFF will head into tomorrow’s tough looking test at Esher in high spirits, according to full-back Joe Sexton.

Westcliff dug deep to win 18-14 at Old Albanians last time out.

And Sexton is now looking forward to what he knows will be a stern test against their second placed hosts.

“We are fully aware of the challenge we face on Saturday against Esher,” said Sexton.

“We are under no illusion of how good Esher are.

“They will come out firing, we just need to start a lot faster and be more clinical than we have been in previous weeks to get a foothold in the game early.

“But the boys will be going in with a positive mindset regardless and we will be looking forward to spending our Saturday with a bunch of great lads as we have done all season.”

Westcliff have continued to fight hard this season despite enduring a number of defeats.

But they recorded their second victory of the campaign on Saturday.

And Sexton was delighted to get back to winning ways.

“It was extremely satisfying to get a win against an opposition as strong as Old Albanians on Saturday,” said Sexton.

“The game was pretty open throughout but the boys did an outstanding job of not conceding a point after the first 10 minutes with some tough defensive sets toward the end.”

Westcliff’s win also saw them move off the foot of the table.

And Sexton feels progress has been made since the start of the season.

“The club is in a better place with regards to injuries and availability so the improvements people are seeing is due to consistency that we are starting to find,” said Sexton “Group morale has been really high throughout the year, all things considered.

“But I think the confidence this win has given us will take us through to the end of the season.”

Elsewhere in National Two South this weekend, Rochford Hundred - who sit just above Westcliff in the table - host 11th placed at Magnolia Road.

In London One North, Southend Saxons have risen to fourth in the standings after winning six of their last seven games.

But Josh Ward’s side face a a stern test tomorrow when they head to table-topping Shelford who have been beaten just once in 21 games this season.

In London Two North, bottom of the table South Woodham Ferrers also face a difficult test on the road as they head to second placed Ipswich.

In London Three Essex, Canvey Island - who are bottom - are at eighth placed Braintree.

In Essex, fifth placed Basildon are at home to second placed Maldon who will be aiming to close the gap on league leaders Billericay who are not in action tomorrow.