REPORT: Roger Opie
Photo: Andy Micklethwaite

With nothing to lose both teams committed themselves to playing expansive rugby. Clifton’s starting line up saw many regular players rested ahead of the imminent Bristol Combination final against Old Redcliffians.

A clean break by Ian Clark led to Dan Wells crossing for the opening home try which was quickly cancelled by Dave Micklethwaite responding from a line break. Some loose Clifton play gave early replacement Ross Bailey-Kearney, who was prominent in many attacks, the chance to score with Scott Lyle converting. A James Newey penalty kept Clifton in touch.

Many hands set up an Ian Clark try converted by Newey who then added a penalty to give the half time lead. Bury dominated the early counters after the interval and a turnover and catch and drive saw Mat Selby crossing. A missed tackle let in Harry Anderson-Brown with Lyle converting both and establish a comfortable lead.
Clifton then introduced power from the bench and their scrum was really dominant. England students prop Alex Giltrow powered over. Newey again converted. However a loose pass presented a chance for Darren Gillespie to run over with McBride converting and extend the Bury lead as full time approached.

Clifton continued to exert pressure and Mike Luxton scored out wide but it was the men from Suffolk who held on to celebrate.

Clifton Rugby
Tries Wells [2] Clark [19] Giltrow [65] Luxton [75]
Penalties Newey [10,34]
Conversions Newey [19, 67]

Bury St Edmunds
Tries Micklethwaite [6] Bailey-Kearney [11] Selby [48] Anderson-Brown [55] Gillespie [68]
Conversions Lyle [12,49, 56] McBride [69]