Both sides were at near full strength with only long term injured players, and in the case of Havant, a suspended player not available to for selection. The Clifton side was unchanged from the side that beat Bridgwater last Saturday.

On the bench Joel Burgess joined fellow prop Jack Steadman and was complemented by second row Darren Barry as the forward options. Ollie Sills was the back up to the high numbers. The balance of the bench was selected to provide fit alternatives for the expected forwards orientated approach of our hosts.

The game kicked of in dull damp conditions with drizzly rain in front of a large a vociferous crowd. There was some early sparring as Clifton looked to move the ball in contrast to the aerial approach of Havant.

The Clifton option was found to be right approach early on as three poor kicks by "Pucs" Ngapaku and full back Keith Molyneux gave Clifton counter attack ball and field position. This provided the visitors with the opportunity to mount an attack down the left flank.

The continuity through the phases was excellent until the ball was turned over at the tackle. The clearing kick from Molyneux however was again erratic and Clifton now built up an attack on the right flank. When the ball was moved infield Barney Kent positioned just inside the '22' stepped, sent a dummy and broke through to score near the posts. JB added the conversion.

This score came after just six minutes and it was going to be another 30 before the next score although there was no lack of action and endeavour. Both sides were giving nothing away with Havant favouring the use of muscle and when the ball went out to the backs they merely ran back into the safety of the forwards.

Clifton were able to force some turnover ball and of course looked at the running options when Havant put the ball into the air. There were some big hits and in one of those hooker Henry Mace took a blow to the shoulder and had to leave the field. He was replaced by young second row Darren Barry. This resulted in a reshuffle with skipper Tom Lambert moving from flanker to hooker to be replaced in the back row by veteran Eddie Smith.

Just after the half hour Clifton launched an attack down the left. Preventing quick ball Richard Buck, the Havant right wing clung on in the ruck and was shown the yellow card. The long range attempt at goal by JB fell just short. This was just a short reprieve however.

Another up-and-under was well fielded by Gregg Setherton, he passed to Andy Bell who took off up the field, returned the ball to Setherton who then broke into Havant territory. The move was carried on at speed and into the home '22'. The ball was then moved along the line to be taken on by Rob Viol who broke the defensive line to score under the posts. JB added the conversion and Clifton were 14 points ahead.

The next score surprisingly came to the home side. Clifton were still dealing well with the limited game Havant plan. However Rob Viol was found guilty of preventing release in a tackle when it appeared the ball was out, and as well as being punished with a yellow card, the first offence by a Clifton player in their own half, Sid Claffey also converted the penalty goal from 30 metres.

There was no further score in the half which ended Havant 3 Clifton 14.

Clearly the half time talk in the Havant dressing room was all about how they could get back into the game but the way they did was surprising. They were fortuitous that a speculative kick ahead by second row Nick Whittle went deep into the Clifton '22'. They were even luckier when the touch judge asserted that JB had carried the ball over the line.

There followed five minutes of short-range scrums all of which were well dealt with by the Clifton forward pack. From a turnover JB was able to clear the ball to near halfway but Havant then scored from the resulting lineout. Fly half Ngapaku made the initial inside pass to Buck as the winger broke the first line of defence, he supported the runner took a return pass and in one move offloaded to Claffey who while tackled just short of the line slid into the in-goal area on the wet surface for a try he converted himself.

The momentum was now with Havant and they were finally successful with the line out catch and drive with the usual poacher Raubenheimer securing the touchdown and the lead at 15 points to 14. At this point the Clifton starting props Andy Raines and Rob White were replaced, with youngsters Jack Steadman and Joel Burgess entering the fray.

The Havant revival was now just about out of steam and Clifton slowly worked their way back into the game. Havant frustration showed when Darren Barry was kicked in the face and from another penalty JB sent the ball to the Havant 5 metre line.

Havant knocked on as they challenged for the lineout. The scrum ball was won and after two drives moved the ball along the line and centre Steve Leonard ran strongly to score the try. JB added the conversion to restore the Clifton lead while Leonard had to leave the field with an ankle injury to be replaced by Ollie Sills.

The atmosphere was now building and as news came through that Barking were winning the onus was now on Clifton to score the bonus point try. They mounted a good attack down the right and came close when attacking at the posts. Quick ball was required with a clear overlap on the left. It came and with Barney Kent needing to take and give he found Ngapaku arriving at the same time in a do or die charge that shook the ball loose.

Still the game was not over and Clifton had another chance from a JB cross kick to Rob Viol but the challenge from the home defender prevented a clean catch with no one else between Rob and the line.

The game ended with Clifton attacking from inside the '22' as another Havant driving lineout was again turned over but to no avail.

There was a massive cheer from the home support to mark their survival and for Clifton there was now the nervous wait to see if Mounts Bay had come back to win. A few minutes later the bad news was received and it was misery for the Clifton players coaches and supporters.

Final Score - Havant 15 Clifton 21

This was a magnificent effort by the Clifton boys and to come so close to avoiding relegation was an incredible effort after such a poor first threequarters of the season. The last six games of the season saw four wins and a draw but the crucial defeat was at Barking three weeks ago.
Inevitably questions will be asked about how such a good side can be relegated but the fact is an incredible injury list was one aspect. There was also the failure to gain bonus points with at least 10 other games when three tries were scored. Just converting one or two of those particularly today would have seen the side to safety.

The Musets Men of the Match were Eddie Smith and Barney Kent, however the win was a result of an incredible team effort and credit must go to all the players, coaches, medical team and supporters for their commitment through a long and tough season. With a young squad of talented players and plans for further squad improvements lets hope we can turn this potential into a promotion season next time.

Our thanks go to Havant who again proved to be outstanding hosts. Good luck for next season and we hope to see you again soon.

Clifton scorers: Tries - Kent, Viol and Leonard. Conversions - Barnes 3.

Team: Raines, Mace, White, Smith, Brown, Lambert (Capt), Hardy, Levis, Hall, Barnes, Bell, Kent, Leonard, Viol, Setherton.

Replacements: Steadman, Barry, Burgess, Sills.

MRW