A gutsy, spirited performance from the Islanders was not quite enough to turn over a very confident Westcliff side.

The Islanders started positively, considering a number of key players were missing through injury and unavailability, but the side were boosted by the return of flanker Steve Haycock.

Mersea got off to a flyer. Early forward pressure provided scrum-half Lee Clasby with an opportunity to snipe through for the opening score, with Jon Williams converting.

Westcliff drew level with a try of their own and then took the lead 14-7 when their experienced wing Scott Gregory scored their second.

Mersea continued to battle well, with Williams kicking intelligently to the corner and with Andy Sutcliff and Stu Priestley securing excellent lineout ball.

The Islanders deservedly drew level when second row Stu Bradshaw powered his way over from close range.

The Islanders then faced a double blow, firstly they were reduced to 14 men when Alex Stratton-Thomsett was sin-binned and then Lee Clasby had to leave the field with a knee injury.

Westcliff took advantage and restored their lead with a converted try.

With the game nicely poised, the second half proved to be a disappointing 40 minutes for the Islanders.

Having played so well going up the slope, Mersea lacked consistency in the game and gave away hard-earned possession far too freely.

They did not help themselves with a second sin-binning for skipper Andy Sutcliffe after 60 minutes, and Westcliff took full advantage and ran in further scores.

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette

Published Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette