Battling Westcliff hit by Barnes blitz

By NICK CROWE

Westcliff…………….. 10

Barnes………………….52

GUTSY Westcliff were undone by a yellow card as Barnes racked up 21 quickfire points in six minutes to set them on the road to victory.

Then home side deservedly led after an encouraging 30 minutes, but Barnes made them pay for going a man down.

Westcliff 's fine start was rewarded with a converted try by Greg Bannister after patient and sustained pressure.

Further Westcliff attacks came to nothing in the face of a determined defence and impressive Barnes full-back Rob Kirby reduced the deficit with a straightforward penalty.

He then converted three tries in the last knockings of the first half, with Westcliff unable to cope with a man down. Cameron Leigh, Miles Lloyd and Cameron Ruddock benefited from the Barnes onslaught as they turned around 24-7 ahead.

A Bannister penalty cut the gap, but that was as good as it got for the gallant but battered hosts.

Barnes notched up a further four tries from Leigh, Ruddock, Ash Thomas and Ollie Foster.

Kirby rounded off a perfect day with the boot and consigned Westcliff to another heavy defeat, but the spirited home side gave everything in the face of adversity.