WESTCLIFF LIONS 15

SOUTHEND CARDINALS 22

Southend veterans have recently earned something of a reputation for beating 2nd XVs and their experience stood them in good stead once again against Westcliff's Lions side.

The Lions started the stronger side, racking up a quick eight points through an unconverted try and a penalty. But Cardinals soon found their feet, and pulled to within three points following a try out wide from Rob Kleinberg.

Southend subsequently started to exert considerable pressure against the Lions in the scrummage and Mark Fix took full advantage when he bobbed and weaved his way through the defence for a second score. Steve Barningham converted to put Southend up 12-8 at half time.

Westcliff then lost the services of their influential skipper Mick Redding and stalwart centre Stuart Richmond, and it looked as though getting back into the match could be a tall order. Sure enough, substitute Gareth Pratt grabbed a swift try to put Southend 17-8 ahead.

Cardinals extended their lead to 22-8 when an outstanding handling movement from both the forwards and backs set up a try for Nigel Branch, who used his ever-increasing bulk to brush aside would-be tacklers.

There was no way back for Westcliff, but they rallied towards the end and scored a deserved consolation try, after a blunder by Southend's fly-half.

Lapse sends U17s crashing to defeat

HERTFORD U17 29

WESTCLIFF U17 19

The visitors made a slow start in the early exchanges which allowed Hertford to get the upper hand.

But they were unable to capitalise on the advantage which allowed Westcliff to ease their way back into the game.

Michael Pitt scored the visitors' first try after dummying several opponents before Hertford turned up the heat, forcing some excellent defensive work from Westcliff.

They extended their lead when Brett McGarrigle picked up and passed to Patric Redding, who scored under the posts.

Pitt converted the try but then Westcliff rested on their laurels and allowed Hertford to score two tries to reach half-time only 12-10 adrift.

Hertford came out the stronger of the two sides in the second half and promptly scored three soft tries, two of which were converted.

Westcliff stuck to their guns and were rewarded when Luke Rose touched down and Pitt converted.

Yet the visitors went home knowing that lapses in concentration and a lack of fitness lost them their first game of the year.

Rampant Colts up for the Cup

WESTCLIFF COLTS 34

UPMINSTER COLTS 0

Westcliff's Colts team continued their winning form and put themselves in the right frame of mind for Sunday's Essex Cup semi-final.

The visitors played with only 14 players for the first ten minutes, but showed determination right from the whistle and were always in the Upminster half.

Yet good forward work and running went unrewarded until late in the first half when Ryan Lambert broke the deadlock with a try following some fine running and handling.

The teams went in at half time with the score at 5-0, but Westcliff came out more determined in the second period, with their forwards dominating in the loose.

Dashiel Allum touched down after a driving maul and then Tom Bartlett scored following a line-out on the Upminster ten-metre line.

Allum scored his second try under the posts after a driving run. Full back Matt Andersson converted and then played a major part in the next try with a blistering run and pass for winger Greg Ireland to go over.

Scrum-half Simon Davis dummied several Upminster players before unselfishly passing to fly half Nick Sigwart, who made a simple run to score under the posts. Andersson converted.

"It was definitely a better second half with the front five outstanding, along with James Argentieri in the second row," said Westcliff spokesman Geoff Sawyer. "There was also some strong running from inside centre Dan Lewis."

Westcliff now face Thurrock Colts at their Oakfield ground on Sunday (12 noon kick-off) in the semi-final of the under-19 Essex Cup.

Barking mad at being behind

BARKING IV 35

WESTCLIFF A 5

Ben Shingleton put the visitors into an early lead with a try - but probably wished he had not.

For Westcliff's five points stung their Barking hosts into action and they came back powerfully to cruise away with the game thanks to their superior firepower.

However, it was good experience for the enthusiastic Westcliff youngsters who are still learning the ropes. Their opponents mainly came from the Barking development squad of potential first-teamers mixed in with some experienced players.

Ambitious Basildon focusing on youth

Basildon youth fixtures secretary Gary Clinton has explained how the forward-thinking club is setting the foundation for a bright future with its progressive youth policy.

"From chairman to president and throughout the club, everyone knows our future is in the youth policy," revealed Clinton, who doubles up as manager of the talented Under-16s side. "We can't afford to pay players and we can't entice many here with money and facilities. We have to supply our own talent."

"There are around 150 kids training here on a Wednesday night, both boys and girls. We don't turn anyone away and everyone gets a game."

The results are already beginning to show up on the field, with two of the club's younger sides turning in some promising recent performances.

In a free-flowing game played in a tremendous spirit, strong running from Holly Le-Grave and Tom Flowers, plus an awesome performance from the pack, inspired Basildon's under 12 side to a 30-10 mauling of Burnham. Tries came from Alex Hare, Matthew Reid, Matthew Holmes, Ben White and the hard-running Le-Grave.

The under-eights team lost 20-15 to Eton Manor but showed they have plenty of potential with tries from skipper Buster Bunce, Jordan Hasler and Charlie Le-Grave.

Clinton rates the Under-12 side especially highly. "They're horrible kids, always throwing mud up the dressing room walls!" he said. "But they all play for each other and get on well with their coaches."

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