Match Report: Clifton Rugby v Bishop's Stortford

from ROGER OPIE
Referee Robbie Bourke
Clifton Sausage Man of the match: Chris Rovery

While Clifton weathered the initial storm with some resolute tackling it was ultimately the superior power, swift handling and ability to run through the phases which allowed the visitors to achieve the comfortable win and demonstrated why they are strong promotion contenders.

The speed and determination of Bishop Stortford’s wing Jimmy Rea who scored a hat trick was a key ingredient. The first though was from Nick Hankin converted by Tom Banks came early on but Clifton responded with a Brad Barnes penalty only for an astute kick ahead to give Reay his first.

Barnes again brought Clifton into the game with three points. A charged down Clifton kick gave Sam Winter a try scoring opportunity and then a Pier Dotta try allowed Banks to convert both efforts.

Clifton countered with a well worked catch and drive try by flanker Max Woodward before Rea score again. The Bristol boys began the second half with commitment and attacked without scoring and a well placed Stortford kick and excellent take gave Rea his hat trick for Banks to convert.

The game became punctuated with yellow cards to the visitors and a red to Clifton’s Alex Giltrow for retaliation. In between a try from replacement Seb Brownhill was equalled with a fine Clifton effort and Chris Rovery’s try conveed by James Newey.

Clifton Rugby
Tries: Woodward [30] Rovery [77]
Penalties: Barnes [13 &18]
Conversions: Newey [78]

Bishops Stortford
Tries: Rea [14,34,52] Hankin [10] Winter [20] Dotta [26] Brownhill [65]
Conversions: Banks [11,22,27,53]