Westcliff suffered a fourth successive defeat, losing 31-14 at Tring.

Westcliff batted to the end against a very fit and well drilled side.

And they returned home frustrated they had not come closer to causing an upset.

Westcliff got off to the worst start when New Zealand recruit Bryan Hudson pulled a muscle in the warm-up and was unable to take the field causing Mat Meakin, who was being rested and turned up to watch the game, being pressed into turning out.

Despite that, a lightweight Tring pack were under pressure from Westcliff who launched several forays into the home 22.

Continued pressure on Tring meant they gave away a penalty, which Ben McKeith between the posts.

But Tring then went up two gears and some incisive play brought them two converted tries before they also added a penalty.

Quick thinking at a line out caught Westcliff out and ended in a try that left Tring 19-6 up at half time.

At the start of the second period, a third McKeith penalty put Westcliff within 10 points but the visitors were then reduced to 14 men when Pete Mahoney was assisted off with a badly gashed head.

Tring immediately made their numbers count to score a try in the corner.

However, Westcliff never gave up and were justly rewarded when they rumbled the ball over the Tring line with Ewan Binneman credited with the touch down.

Try as they might,Westcliff were unable to register an elusive bonus point and Tiring had as the last word right on the final whistle with their fifth try which was converted to see Westcliff ruing missed opportunities.

Westcliff have now won just two of their 11 league outings this term and remain third from bottom in the standings.