CLUB INFORMATION

The Clifton team was unchanged for the first time this season, and this gave the opportunity to develop the patterns that were developing last time out. The only change was on the bench where Tom Walker took the place of Joel Burgess who was unavailable. The conditions were going to be difficult however, with a gale force wind blowing up the slope towards the clubhouse.

Clifton had first use of the wind and had an early opportunity to score. A good steal from the first line out saw the ball moved left and after making good progress won a penalty but JB's effort was scuffed wide. Clifton was soon attacking down the right touchline but Ollie Sills was blocked off as he chased a JB chip. Another chance went by the wayside as a long range JB penalty drifted wide.

It was against the run of play when in the 11th minute North Walsham scored. Playing the ball up close they made steady progress until powerful flanker Mike Howard broke free and fed Rob Clymer to score. The conversion was always going to be tough into the wind and inevitably failed.

JB hit back with an 18th minute penalty goal to narrow the gap. This came after Donovan Hall took a quick penalty tap and the home 7 Chris Godwin prevented his progress at the expense of a yellow card and 10 metres advance on the penalty. Walsham however were the next to score.

They were moving the ball well, linking the forwards and backs as they attacked into the elements. Clifton forced a turnover as the move made it to the '22' and faced with broken field Clifton attacked down the left but a wild pass from the tackle fell for Strydom to run back and score.

This was followed up on 27 minutes when an attack through midfield from a collapsed scrum saw an initial break that was well supported by Clymer who scored his second try under the posts. This time Strydom added the conversion and the home side were 17 points to 3 ahead.

The rest of the half was all Clifton. A kickable penalty was put into the corner but after several attempts the opportunity was lost. Another chance came as the half ran out.

JB chipped to Andy Bell in the corner. As the ball bounced a defender batted the ball into touch in goal. The lineout was won albeit scrappily and when the ball went wide a wild pass missed its intended receiver and the last chance of the half went begging.

Half time North Walsham 17 Clifton 3.

With the elements against the good guys in the second period it was going to require a major effort to come out with a result. This was delivered and was matched by some excellent running and a disciplined defensive effort that saw only 2 penalties conceded through the whole game.

Four minutes into the half Clifton were on the score board with an Andy Bell try. The initial impetus came from an excellent Donovan Hall break from a scrum. When the move broke down in the home '22' we had a Clifton scrum. The ball was moved to the blind side and Bell was not touched as he crossed the line. The conversion into the wind failed.

The next score came 8 minutes into the half. A penalty was awarded and the home 8 Jason Applin saw yellow for a spear tackle on Bell, who wasn't even in possession of the ball. JB slotted this through the posts and the score was now 11-17.

Just 5 minutes later and Clifton scored the try of the match. From a position in the '22' Greg Setherton and Sam Kent, on for the injured Ollie Sills broke down the right wing. The ball was recycled and moved left. Steve Leonard made the initial break and linked with Henry Mace and Andy Bell. The ball was transferred between the three of them and saw Bell add his second try to bring the score to 16-17.

Clifton next had an opportunity from a penalty lineout awarded when Godwin, not the tallest of players, took out JB with a high tackle. He was lucky to escape with a stern warning and having already received a yellow card in the first half can count himself lucky to stay on the pitch. The throw from the penalty lineout went astray, as did many in the game as both sides struggled with the wind.

The ball was driven forward by Walsham but this was only a temporary respite. Clifton won a scrum and attacked to the right hand corner. Sam Kent was tackled into touch just 5 metres short of the line. The Walsham coaches then caused confusion.

They had decided to replace Davies, their second row. They then dithered but eventually went ahead with the switch. This confused the Walsham players and a loose throw went straight to John Levis who strolled over the line for the try and for Clifton, the lead for the first time.

The home side then frantically attacked but couldn't make much progress. Clifton were putting on pressure in the scrums preventing any clean ball and wrapped up the Walsham attackers.

There was one attack on the line in the clubhouse corner, but like the Walsham defence in the first half, Clifton proved strong enough to prevent any score. The game finished with Clifton in control and the good guys had their first away win since the epic at Canterbury a year ago.

With such a strong second half there were many good performances. The selection for MotM ended up with both John Levis and Henry Mace, the latter for the second week in a row being awarded the Musets dinner for two. Enjoy your evening boys!

Clifton scorers: Tries Bell 2, Levis. Penalties Barnes 2.

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

Reps: Steadman, Walker R (for Kent B 68), Walker T, Kent S (for Sills 44).

With games coning up against Cinderford and Barking this was an important win and will give the guys good heart moving into the last four games. Next Saturday it is home against high flyers Cinderford. Kick off 2.30. I look forward to seeing you there.

MRW