Clifton start off with a win

Sorry for the delay in writing this report but I have only just finishing gathering the information following a break in Greece.

Last season we played Canterbury at home in the final game of the season and completed the double over them. This season the fixture makers have decreed the opening league game will be at home against Canterbury; Our line up included nine players who featured in the game last season while our visitors included eight.

We also gave Clifton league debuts to the following nine players Sam Hughes, Lucas Slowik. Daniel Wells ,Sam Caven, James Mackay, Mitch Spencer, Andy Cannock, Mike Barber and Gavin Curry and we wish them well in their time at Clifton,

It was a typical opening season encounter with both sides taking their time to settle down.

Our first came serious attack came in the 9th minute attack when Slowick made the break and fed the supporting Mackay who put No8 Gavin Curry over from close range . Mackay landed the conversion.

Mackay was already showing his value to the side with his tactical and place kicking. He was the difference between the two sides missing one kick all afternoon,

He also played a major part in Clifton’s second try scored at the end of the first quarter.

The visitors had the edge at scrum time and their line out was efficient and after thirty four minutes flanker Brook Cowan finished off a drive to the line which was converted by fly half Guy Hilton.

At the start of the second half Hilton scored for an individual he also converted as Clifton were down to fourteen men.

Mackay stretched the home sides lead with two penalties but the visitors came back with a try from wing Aiden Moss
Who raced in at the corner.

Two points were the difference between the two sides with ten minutes remaining and it was Clifton under the guidance of Mackay who stretched the lead when a line out was won and prop Charlie Bullimore who had worked hard in the tight and loose drove over for a converted try.

Hilton had the final say when he grabbed a loose ball close to the home line and raced the length to score but his conversion attempt flew wide,

Clifton’s greater discipline carried while the visitors left with two bonus points.