Clifton edge out Dings

Since Leagues were established in 1987 and despite the close proximity of the clubs grounds the two clubs have only met on sixteen occasions.
This was seventeenth meeting and only the ninth at Landseer Avenue. Prior to tonight’s game we had only come away with a win on one occasion which was in the autumn of 2011 and last year proved disastrous as we went down by 43 – 10.

Both clubs fielded sides which bore little resemblance to those fielded in this game while Dings were under a new coaching team lead by Mark Woodrow.
In the end we deservedly came out on top in a game which had all the ingredients of a local derby including a sending off and a change of referee. Darren described the game as being played with plenty of pride and passion though he felt in the first half his side were not at the races. They gained plenty of first-phase possession but only hooker Sam Evans
Had the where withal to break through the home defence.

Dings had the better of the early stages and it was no surprise when they were rewarded for their efforts when lock Ed Hack went over with Woodrow converting to add to an earlier penalty.

After twenty seven minutes referee Alex Manley was forced out of the action with a leg injury after a collision with visiting flanker James Stephenson.

Assistant Referee Jeff Highcock replaced him and almost his first action was to red card Dings No 8 Jake Holcombe on the recommendation of Assistant Referee Grant Mossford for punching. Holcombe was given a weeks ban by the RFU Disciplinary Committee.

Clifton’s numerical advantage began to tell as the game progressed but the home side ability to slow the ball down and make nuisances of themselves frustrated the visitors.

Early in the second half full back Ben Bolster knocked on with the line at his mercy as Dings try to extend their lead.

We were coming more into the game as our man advantage began to tell and fly half James Mackay posted our first points of the game with a penalty five minutes into the second half. This swiftly followed by well constructed try scored in the corner by Lucas Slowik.

We felt we should have been awarded a penalty try such was our superiority in the tight. Eventually No 8 Gavin Curry who was once a Dings player went over from close range scrum which Mackay converted and he landed two further penalties to keep Clifton in front. but Woodrow kept holding on to the visitors coat tails with three long range penalties.

Now for Henley.