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With 7 changes to the Clifton team from last week and a number of injuries and unavailabilities in addition to visiting a ground at which Dings had only lost 3 times last season, even the most ardent Clifton supporter may have had concerns about the outcome. However, at 60 minutes these concerns appeared unfounded as Clifton had produced a fine performance full of intensity and power that cleary shocked their opponents and Clifton had stormed into a 17 - 3 lead courtesy of a Sam Smee try and 4 JB penalties. However, the introduction of veteran ex Bristol, Gloucester and Clifton prop Paul Johnston on 60 minutes rallied the home sides pack who produced three power plays that produced 19 points in 10 minutes. Clifton had 5 minutes at the end where they applied a good deal of pressure whilst striving for the winning score but were disappointed again to finish with a solitary point for losing by less than 7. Hullaballoos Man of the Match was Donovan Hall on debut at scrum half. So with 3 games gone Clifton had real chances to win 2 of the games leading both into the last 5 and would be sitting comfortably in mid table, but the league table never lies and they now sit one from bottom with a home fixture against pre season favourites North Walsham next up. Clifton have lost 3 in a row - a run of losses that has not occured since 2003. However, there is real spirit in this Clifton team demonstrated not only by the first 60 minutes of play yesterday with a number of players playing out of position up front and the whole team giving full commitment but also by the fact that the other players in the squad beat Dings 2nd team 18 - 10 at Clifton. With a number of new faces expected at the club soon and some older ones returning, the management and squad will no doubt redouble their efforts to turn winning positions into 5 points instead of 1. Dings should be congratulated on their win for showing the character to come from behind to overturn Clifton"s lead and also for the hospitality extended to Clifton at their Lockleaze home. They do seem to have a strange obsession with us manifested in the infamous "Clifton Corner" in the clubhouse and the latest example the stealing / loaning of our Goose - although I do have it on good authority that despite homesickness she is being well fed and looked after (however I do draw the line at believing the more outlandish rumour that she is developing symptoms of [url=http://ask.yahoo.com/20030324.html]Stockholm Syndrome[/url]). This fascination seems to have intensified with the latest addition to the Clifton coaching team - former Dings coach Darren Lloyd. As well as a lengthy mention in the program notes the Dings match report writer includes a number of mentions of Darren"s footballing background in their report that can be found by clicking [url=http://www.dingsrfc.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=659#659]here.[/url] For Clifton they will be able to take a number of positives from the game which, certainly for the first 60, was an improved performance on their last two and in which they showed glimpses of the rugby they are capable of. The management again are calling for the continuing good show at training in order that they can work on certain areas. More on the weekends rugby to come including the temporary departure of our resident Prince - Henry Mace - who departs for University. Also appologies to MRW who posted the match report from last weeks game in the usual section but to which I did not point anyone. Anyone else got a match report - email them to [mail]
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[/mail] Further appologies for not updating the Hullaballoos Man of the Match page yet. Slight technical difficulties here which should be solved imminently. 0 |
