Clifton lose to leaders

League leaders Henley Hawks extended their unbeaten to seven which includes four away from home.

We battled away hard and proved to be competitive opposition but could not match Henley for their power and quality of defence.

Visiting fly half Will Robinson had an outstanding game opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour scored the opening try.

A quick heel at a scrum twenty two metres out enabled scrum half Connor Murphy to release Robinson who left several players in his wake as he made his way to the line for a try. He added the conversion.

The lead was extended at the end of the first quarter. Winger Jake Randall caught a loose clearing kick on the half way and made ground at pace to the following touch line before being stopped short of the line. A quick heel from the resultant enabled prop Dave Manning to drive over with Robinson converting.

We began to come back into the contest as the visitors error count increased and they conceded a number of penalties Our line out men Joe Quinn. Ex Hawk Andy Caddock and Gavin Currie did well at line out time winning ball on and against the head.
Hooker Sam Evans also had an impressive game making several rampaging runs in the loose. Eighteen year old Alex Haynes recently called into senior action at scrum half as a result of injury is improving with every game. James Mackay at fly half tried desperately tried to crack the visitors defence but could not find a way through

At the start of the second half we enjoyed are best period of the game. We kicked off and our second recruit from Henley gathered the ball and was able to launch a period of pressure on the visitors which ended when wing Lucas Slowick went over in the corner with Mackay converting.

The game fell away as the visitors were unable to mount any constructive attacking options even though Will Woodward worked in the forward exchanges. Clifton’s excellent line out fell apart when they were close to the line and looking to set up a driving maul. Henley lost No 8 Robbie Stapley to the bin and we opted for line outs instead rather than attempt penalty kicks. Unfortunately the throws were not straight.

Except for Slowik try the only scores in what was a more even second half were two Robinson penalties. .

It is disappointing we have been unable rediscover are winning ways at home but the consolation is that we are winning away.

After seven weeks Henley lead the way followed by Taunton and newcomers Dorking. Dings are struggling but there are six clubs on twelve or less. An initial thought is that the teams at the top will be spread out while the relegation battle will be a close fought affair.

Congratulations to Ellis Genge who has been named in the England under 20’s squad and to former Junior Kristen Cook who scored a hat trick of tries for Old Elthamians against Dings.