The number of bonus points Amassed by Albanians grew to 21 today but this will be small compensation to their side who battled Westcliff to a standstill but ultimately were outthought by the Essex men.

It seemed to start well enough for the hosts who dominated the opening exchanges and for the first ten minutes demonstrated dominance at lineout and scrum. They were also three penalties to the good but somehow failed to convert that into points.

Not so Westcliff whose Joe Ford had just two opportunities to put points on the board in this first period and converted the two simple penalties without fuss. Ford’s kicking influence was in evidence throughout the afternoon, particularly in the second half which the visitors started 0-6 up.

Moments after the restart OA scrum half Morgan Thompson notched a penalty of his own and Ollie Stonham charged through three tackles to the posts for Thompson’s second successful kick, Albanians now leading 10-6.

Play continued almost uneventfully in midfield until that man Ford again took a hand. Hard won possession on half way saw him carefully weigh a cross field kick to the almost undefended left hand side and Greg Bannister scampered in untouched.

Moments later Westcliff again threatened the OA line and this time, following a neat lineout, scrum half Chris Bolton dotted down in the opposite corner.

Neither try was converted but the six point margin was enough to see out the remainder of the match.

Brian Quinn,

Press