Clifton Match

Saturday 1st March 2008
National 3 South

Clifton 31 - 5 Luton

The coaching team had the benefit of being able to put out of the strongest Clifton sides of the season. While missing a trio of second rows plus Paul Reid from the forward pack, a number of players were able to return and with young second row Darren Barry on debut looking the part this was as good a performance as we have seen this season. The changes in the side from the defeat at Lydney, a game Clifton could and probably should have won, included the return of Donovan Hall for his first start since September and John Barnes, on Bristol duty last week at half back. Ollie Sills also returned this time to the wing, where he was joined by Andy Bell who had a good game in JB's shirt last time out. Gregg Setherton and Sam Kent passed fitness tests to take their places at 15 and on the bench respectively and in the forwards John Levis returned from his injury to replace Reid.

Clifton with the wind and slope in their favour attacked from the start. Ollie Sills won the kick off and from the move that followed Steve Leonard broke free in the Luton '22' only to spill the ball. Two further opportunities were spurned but it wasn't long before the first try came. On 5 minutes Clifton chose to take a scrum from a penalty close to the Luton line. John Levis picked up and Donovan Hall's wide pass put Ollie Sills in at the corner. JB converted from the touchline.

Clifton continued to press and in the 13th minute, and from another penalty scrum Donovan Hall broke free to score in the car park corner. Again JB converted from the touchline and Clifton had breathing space.

Luton started to come more into the game as they looked to play the ball into wide channels. There was no danger to the home defence as it was quick to snuff out any danger. JB added a penalty on 25 minutes.

The first Luton chance came when from a short lineout the hooker broke down an unguarded blind side. The attack made it to the Clifton line but the defence was again secure.

The home pack was rampant turning over a lot of Luton ball and putting the scrum under pressure. The next score came from a lineout on halfway. Darren Barry soared to claim the ball which was moved quickly along the backs. Gregg Setherton hit the line at speed and ran in from the Clifton '22' with barely a finger laid on him by the visitors defence. JB again converted.

A penalty miss from JB, his only failure of an otherwise perfect performance, from near halfway was to mark a slight turning point in the game. From a resulting scrum put in Luton were able to make a mess of the Clifton ball for the only time all afternoon. From this position they were able to make progress into the Clifton half and a sharp move down the right touchline saw winger Anker score in the corner. This was the last action of the half and saw the sides go in to shelter from the strong wind with the score Clifton 24 Luton 5.

The second half saw Clifton playing up the slope and into the wind. The continued dominance of the forwards saw the Luton hooker show his frustration with a stamp on a Clifton player and resulted in 10 minutes in the bin. Surprisingly this saw Clifton become more contained in their approach and a number of handling errors let Luton off the hook. The visitors had the better of the next period without being able to create any opportunities.

A double change at prop after 50 minutes for Clifton saw youngsters Jack Steadman and Joel Burgess enter the fray. Like Andy Raines and Rob White they saw to it that the Luton pack remained under pressure at the set piece. While Clifton had this advantage and were still able to turn over ball the handling errors continued and nothing came of the advantage except good field position.

Luton continued to be frustrated in their efforts and the number 8 was next to be sent to the bin. This marked an increase in the Clifton intensity and they were soon pounding the visitor's goal line. Twice they were held up over the line, Donovan Hall dropped the ball over the line on another occasion and Tom Lambert knocked on as Clifton destroyed a Luton scrum and the touchdown that followed was negated. Eventually though another score did come. Andy Bell led an attack down the left wing and after a couple of forward drives the ball was moved into midfield where Gregg Setherton broke through to score his second try under the posts. JB added the extra points.

There were no further points in spite of the extended injury time caused by the numerous stoppages and with no threat to the Clifton line the home side ran out easy winners at 31 points to 5.

This was an excellent all round performance and Clifton fully deserved the bonus point victory. But for the handling problems this could and probably would have been a much larger win against a spirited but very limited Luton team. The Musets MotM was hooker Henry Mace who continually took the game to the opposition and hit Darren Barry unerringly at lineout time.

Clifton scorers: Tries, Sills, Hall and Setherton 2; Conversions JB 4; Penalty JB

Clifton team: Raines, Mace, White, Barry, Smith, Lambert (Capt), Hardy, Levis, Hall, Barnes, Bell, Kent B, Leonard, Sills, Setherton.

Reps: Steadman (for White 50), Walker (for Hardy 27-31), Burgess (for Raines 50) Kent S (for Leonard 76).

Next Saturday sees the rejuvenated Clifton team head up to Norfolk to play fellow strugglers North Walsham. The following Saturday sees high flying Cinderford come to Cribbs Causeway. Your support to both of these games would be welcomed. With trips to Barking and Havant to come there is all to play for. If you want to join us for the pre-match lunch contact on Ian Harding 0117 950 9457.

MRW