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Clifton Seniors Join The Finals Fun

Clifton Seniors Join The Finals Fun

Wyn Tingley2 May 2018 - 09:00
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Wadworth 6X Combination Cup Semi-Final 2018

Clifton Rugby emerged 22-5 winners at last night’s semi final played under lights at Station Road, Cribbs Causeway against Old Redcliffians RFC.

The rearranged match, coming only a few days after the final National League fixture for Clifton away at Chinnor, gave an opportunity to correct a disappointing result against Old Redcliffians in January and to attempt a 5th Cup win (for an unprecedented third win in a row).

The two sides met in the final of the Combination Cup nearly a year ago to the day, when Clifton came out victorious 30-7 at The Memorial Ground.

The weather last night was quite different with rain and a cold driving wind adding to the challenge. The match itself was well attended with about 350 braving the elements and Bristol’s midweek evening traffic.

The first attempt at a score came from a missed penalty kick from Clifton, this after a fiery start and some indications of the style of play being brought. (7’ 0-0)

Clifton scored first from Leversley’s boot on 20 minutes after a quarter of the match which was best described as an arm wrestle. (20’ 3-0)

Just before the half hour mark the first try of the game was scored courtesy of Mr Penalty. A double sin binning for a player from each side led to a penalty kick, lineout, rolling maul and illegal pull down. (29’ 10-0)

Clifton’s pack started showing dominance and just a few minutes later Chesters was able to score from a well set drive to the line. In the wind, the wide conversion attempt was unsuccessful. (38’ 15-0)

In added time, a multiple reset scrum near Old Reds’ try line finally succeeded and Mr Penalty racked up his second score. (HT 22-0)

The second half saw no improvement in the weather nor in the truculence of players. Clifton suffered a yellow card and the visitors scored their opening points from the resulting penalty, lineout & unconverted try. (43’ 22-5)

The next 25 minutes of play could be best described as Prop Heaven, with repeated scrums and scrambled play all camped in the visitor’s 22. Eventually deadlock was broken with a yellow card for Old Reds and a successful penalty goal from Barnes. (78’ 25-5)

The match petered out gradually and finished 25-5, Clifton Sausage Man Of The Match was Hamish Renwick.

Clifton now travel across the city to Dings Crusaders’ new ground to face Cleve RFC in this year’s Bristol Combination Wadworth 6X Senior Cup Final.

Cup Final - Clifton Rugby vs Cleve RFC
Wednesday 9th May, KO 7.30pm
Shaftesbury Park

#CmonClifton #LavenderAndBlack #Since1872

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