Clifton put Saxons to the sword

Clifton returned to winning ways with an outstanding display of running rugby which they demonstrated after a tense opening half an hour.

Fly half James Mackay produced an outstanding performance as he was successful with all nine attempts at the posts as well as scoring a magnificent solo try midway through the second half which left the Southend defence in ruins. He also released his outside backs giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.

The opening exchanges were dominated by the visitors with their pack putting Clifton under pressure and both sides conceded a string of penalties. Centre Bradley Burr kicked two penalties in the opening quarter to put the visitors in front but these were cancelled out by tw0 similar efforts by Mackay.

Southend claimed the first try of the game in the twenty third minute when after a powerful drive by their pack the final offload went to flanker Adam Ferrier who powered his way over the line for a try converted by Burr.

Mackay showed he was on song when he landed a penalty from the halfway line to keep Clifton in touch.

The home side then came to life when a Mackay break was carried on by Charlie Foley who chipped ahead and winger Will Pomphrey was narrowly beaten to the touch down. Our pack with a new look back row of Ben Purcell, Mike Barber and Max Woodward on debut then took control. They set up siege on the visitors line and a break by centre Dan Wells ended when he crossed under the posts. Full back Ben Foley raced over the line five minutes to extend the lead.

Clifton were now playing with a pace, accuracy and intensity which Southend could not contain. In fact I doubt if any side in the league would have been able to withstand.

Pomphrey raced over from distance at the start of the second half and then Jordan Kelly started a move behind the try line which end with the winger crossing at the other end of the ground following a length of the field move.

Mackay’s magnificent came next when he waltzed past several defenders on his way to the line and on the hour Wells went over on the hour for Clifton’s final score and Mackay’s conversion took his tally for the season to ninety five points.

The pace of the game dropped in the final quarter with the result decided as both side’s ran the ball at will. The visitors reward came when hooker Max Bloomberg went over.

Darren was delighted with the result and more importantly in the way it was achieved both in attack and defence,