The saying goes “forwards win matches, but backs decide by how much”, this couldn’t be more relevant this past weekend in a hot and humid friendly against Welsh visiting side, Bridgend Athletic. Clifton Rugby 1st XV displayed a powerful scrummaging performance, which led to a flurry of tries from Clifton’s back line. With the home side leading at half time, a strong second half performance eventually saw Clifton secure a 35-12 victory.

Clifton scored their first try after a quick line break from scrum half Andy Uren, that led to centre Alan Wheller crashing over the whitewash. The following two points were added by fly half Brad Barnes. Clifton extended their lead with another converted try. After strong running from winger Nick Fraser, and some quick offloading from Clifton’s captain Joe Quinn allowed Dan Wells to easily run in under the posts.

However, towards the end of the half Bridgend Athletic began to fight back. The visitors scored their first try, after exploiting numbers out wide to score, which was subsequently converted. Their next try arrived not long after, where good work from the Welsh side's forwards to win the line out, led to them crashing over for their second. This meant the half time score was 14-12 to Clifton.

The second half saw Clifton began to assert their dominance. An early converted try after a long phase of play from Fraser made the score 21-12. The home side were then able to extend their lead further after good work and quick offloading lead to full back Callum Roberts scoring a run away try down the touch line, again converted by Barnes. The defeat was made harder for Bridgend Athletic who had a player sin binned late on. The game was complete when winger Sam Harrison crossed for the final try of the day making the final score 35-12.

Speaking about the result, Director of Rugby Darren Lloyd said 'We kept the ball alive today and the players worked very well. There is some more work to be done, but all in all this pre-season match was positive.’

Final score Clifton Rugby 35- 12 Bridgend Athletic

Congratulations to the Clifton Sausage Man of the Match, scrum half Andy Uren.

Written by Fraser Andrews, Press Officer

WATCH MATCH DAY HIGHLIGHTS ON CLIFTON RUGBY TV