Westcliff wonder if the tide will turn
Westcliff……………18
Old Redcliff’s 23
WESTCLIFF’S frustrating start reached a new level as they were edged out in a closely-contested game at Aviation Way.
ORs defended resolutely from the start, and early Westcliff pressure was resisted until the influential Sam Reynolds crashed over after sustained Westcliff pressure.
Westcliff were dealt a blow when stalwart prop Will Weston was helped from the field with ligament damage and, shortly after, ORs opened their account with Matt Baker outstripping the home defence.
Ashley Groves added the conversion before they increased their lead with a try from a rolling maul finished off by Kiaran Wood.
Westcliff continued to exert pressure and Jack Jones, in his first match of the season after longterm injury, was able to peg the score back with a penalty.
Groves replied in kind for ORs before Westcliff regained parity with skipper Chris Marsh rounding off a fine attack with a try which Jones converted.
In the second half, the Westcliff pack put their visitors under increasing pressure in their 22.
After a third penalty, Westcliff elected to go for the points and Jones put them in front.
The lead proved to be short-lived as Dom Sprague scored a third try for ORs. Groves’s second penalty put them five points clear and it stayed that way.
