A much improved Westcliff side deservedly took the points in a close encounter at Nutter Lane on Saturday. The early stages of the match saw both sides waste valuable opportunities however Westcliff made the best of the opening exchanges scoring a penalty kick to take an early lead. Manor replied with a try against the run of play. Fielding a kick on the half way line the Manor back three put the ball through their hands before James Wilcox kicked ahead, he caught the ball on the bounce and out-sprinted the Westcliff defence to score an excellent individual try. The conversion was good from Greg Anderson and Manor held the lead 7-3. It wasn’t long before Westcliff replied, helping themselves to a try out wide taking the score to 7-10. The visitors then stretched their lead with another penalty holding the lead at 7-13 with half time closing in. It was Manor though who had the last word in the half with Garth Tucker intercepting a pass and running half the length of the pitch to score. The try was converted by Anderson and Manor just held the lead at 14-13 at half time.

The early exchanges in the second half were dominated by the home side who seemed to have found the aggression that was lacking in the first half. Unfortunately the ball was knocked on at crucial stages which prevented Manor from turning their pressure into points. Westcliff were starting to struggle with key players removed from the field due to injury but they held their shape well putting Manor under pressure with a well directed kicking game. The Westcliff goal kicker also had a good game converting three penalties to Manor’s two during the half. With the scores close at 20-22 the defining moment of the match happened as Manor second row Macer Twydell was sin binned for throwing a punch, during which time Westcliff turned the screw scoring 10 points and taking the match away from the home side for a well deserved 20-32 victory.