WESTCLIFF Lionesses saw off Southend Saints 15-0 in the first ever meeting between the two teams.

The game was competitive from the first whistle, with both sides keen to make their mark early in the game.

But Westcliff made the first breakthrough after constant pressure from their forwards, with Rhiannon Hatton reaching over the line in only the eighth minute.

With Westcliff 5-0 up, Southend fought hard to get a score of their own, but through strong defence Westcliff were able to keep them at bay, with Westcliff’s forward of the match, Kay Edwards, leading the team in producing some great tackles and securing the ball.

It was through that strong defence Westcliff were able to make their next break, with Lily Stribling intercepting a pass and making a break from within Westcliff’s own 22 into Southend’s 22.

A series of penalties then followed as Southend tried to stop Westcliff from scoring, with one of Southend’s players receiving a yellow card during this passage of play.

But eventually Westcliff managed to pass the ball out to the left wing, with Yaz Underdown scoring in the 32nd minute.

Westcliff went into half time 10-0 up, but both teams were ready to come out fighting in the second half.

After the break, Westcliff seemed to have made the first breakthrough, when after some quick hands out to the wing, Susan Cripps went over the try line, only for it to have been deemed there was a forward pass during the build-up.

Westcliff were still determined to get a score in the second half, and after Kay Edwards sent a kick down into Southend’s half, Westcliff were able to secure the ball and again get it out to the wing, with Amie Hardcourt then going over for the team’s third try.

With 20 minutes still left in the game after that try, both teams battled to win the game, with Southend getting very close to Westcliff’s try line, but Westcliff prevailed with some strong defence and competitiveness at line outs.

Eventually Westcliff’s back of the match, Sophie Sage, was able to kick the ball out of touch, to ensure the score line ended 15-0 to Westcliff.

Jessica Gillett, Westcliff Lionesses’ captain, said: “The girls made some really good runs and received some hard tackles. I’m incredibly proud of these ladies, they gave 110 per cent on the pitch, which showed on the score board’.

Westcliff and Southend are now tied on points in the league, with Westcliff having a game in hand.