Clifton v Bath U12s

Clifton traveled to the Rec to play Bath U12s, one of Somerset's stronger clubs. Clifton, who normally play old rules, are always happy to play the rules of the home team so today it was a case of new rules. Whilst the boys adapt well, and enjoy being allowed to hand off, not being able to pick and go from the back of the scrum or ruck is such natural instincts that it is difficult not to do this from habit. So inevitably we were rightly pinged by the referee on the odd occasion that we did this.

Clifton were the first to cross the try line and score. (Jake Davies). With only a minute or so left to go Bath make a substitution. The substitute was not ready and having held the game up for over a minutes is taken off the pitch for another substitue to take his place. Bath are the quicker to get back into the game and capitalise on it with a solid try to level the period 5-5.

Into the 2nd of four 12 minute periods. Both teams are keen to make their mark especially the Bath team as this is the last period for their first team. There are some very solid periods of play and Clifton even manage to steel it against the head at the scrum which is amazing given that pushing is not allowed. This period is tight with only a single try scored by Clifton (Jake Davies)

So the first 2 periods over with Clifton wining 10-5 the first Bath side having done their job of wearing the Clifton side out or had they?

On come the next Bath side to do battle with Clifton. This side was equally as good as the first side and Clifton did not seem to show any signs of being tired. If was probably the hardest faught of the periods but Clifton were on fire and got across the try line twice (Jake Davies, Milan Rai).

Into the final period and before the period starts the referee has a word with both sides to calm down and be less physical. With the last 12 or 14 minutes left, my stopwatch seemed to be running on Bristol time, both teams were playing some great rugby with passion. There was quite a bit of kicking back and for which Clifton seemed to get the better of by chasing down the kicks and capitalising on the ground one. The final period finished with a try from Sami Hamid who had a quiet game for him.

Bath were a solid side, who played good spirited rugby and made our boys work hard for all 4 of their wins.