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MATCH REPORTS - 1.2.25

MATCH REPORTS - 1.2.25

Clifton Media3 Feb - 10:50

Read the latest match reports from Saturday 1st February



Camborne RFC 31 – Clifton Rugby 24
Clifton left the Camborne Recreation Ground with the satisfaction of securing both try and losing bonus points, while also denying the league leaders their own try bonus point. With other chasing teams losing, Clifton remain the primary challengers to the Cherry and Whites, who viewed this victory over key opponents as a significant step in their promotion chase.

Clifton’s bonus points were well-earned in the closing moments, thanks to a thrilling break by number eight Niall Gibbons, who stormed through the home defence to power over the line. Replacement Tom Quinlan added the conversion.

The home victory owed much to a sixteen-point contribution from the boot of the league’s leading points scorer, former Gloucester player Kyle Moyle. A highly partisan crowd of over 700 cheered on their well-resourced team in this rugby-obsessed town.

A Moyle break led to an early penalty being kicked to the corner, with a catch-and-drive move sending hooker Ben Priddey over for the first try. Camborne were soon reduced to thirteen players after two yellow cards for foul play in quick succession. While Moyle added a penalty, Clifton responded with two tries to keep the pressure on.

Regular scorer, flanker Jay Evans, put Clifton on the board by exploiting gaps in the Cornish defence, with Ollie Milner adding the extras. Shortly after, AK Kilbane read the Camborne defence perfectly and crossed the line. Despite Clifton’s expansive play, the home side appeared composed.

Alex Ducker, a familiar threat to Clifton, scored a crucial try, while Moyle continued to keep the scoreboard ticking before half-time. Camborne had the advantage of both the slope and wind in the first half, but their large home support grew visibly anxious as their team was tested. Scrum-half Mitch Spencer then capitalised on an opposition mistake, chasing down a loose ball to secure Clifton’s third try.

The final minutes were not for the faint-hearted. Priddey went over again for Camborne, but it was Gibbons’ moment of brilliance that secured Clifton’s vital bonus points, which could prove crucial as the season progresses.

Both teams are acutely aware that there is plenty of time left in the season, with upcoming weeks likely to test the depth of their squads.

Story: Roger Opie



Wanderers 28-19 Chosen Hill FP 1st XV

The Wanderers put in a solid performance to secure a 28-19 victory over Chosen Hill FP, despite being low on numbers and with players stepping into unfamiliar roles. Notably, Harry Delaney, stepping up from the Colts to make his senior debut, started at fly-half and Mike Wyatt moved to scrum-half, the winger showing some real versatility having started at flanker last time out.

The Wanderers got off to an ideal start, with Tom Hatch finishing off a well-organised lineout maul for the opening try. Delaney converted to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead (3’).

The game’s first controversy came at 12 minutes, when Ed Grinsted saw yellow after some pushing and shoving ended with a dramatised fall from a Chosen Hill player. The visitors took advantage of the extra man, applying pressure inside Clifton's 22m through repeated lineout penalties. Their persistence paid off with a converted try to level the scores (7-7, 17’).

The Wanderers responded well, with sustained pressure deep in opposition territory. After several tight carries, Hatch dived over for his second try, once again converted by Delaney (14-7, 30’). A tactical substitution followed as Howard-Robinson, fresh back from a long injury layoff, was rotated on for Hodge (35’) to maintain energy levels.

HT 14-7

The visitors closed the gap early in the second half with an unconverted try (14-12, 46’). The Wanderers rotated their pack again, with Hodge returning in place of Tweedale to add some ballast for a 5m scrum (50’).

Shortly after, Grinsted charged through the defence to score Clifton's 3rd try. Delaney kept his 100% kicking record intact (21-12, 52’).

Injury forced Baker off for a refreshed Tweedale (60’). A scrappy 5m scrum led to the ball popping loose, and Grinsted reacted fastest, gathering and racing under the posts untouched for his 2nd, and Clifton's 4th and bonus point try. Delaney once added the extras (28-12, 68’).

Chosen Hill showed some resilience and managed a converted try in the dying minutes (28-19, 74’), but the Wanderers held firm to close out the game for a well-deserved victory.

FT: 28-19

Clem Stokes was named Thatchers Man of the Match for a commanding performance at tighthead prop, dominating the scrum and showcasing some powerful carries throughout.

Notable mentions also go to Tom Hatch and Ed Grinsted, scoring a brace of tries each, Nat Parmenter for numerous dangerous attacking runs that stretched the opposition and Harry Delaney for a composed debut at 10, controlling the game well and finishing with a 100% kicking record.

Despite the challenges of a limited bench and positional adjustments, the Wanderers executed their game plan effectively to come away with a strong home win.


Misfits 33-33 BAC 1st XV

The Misfits travelled to the BAWA ground for the away leg of the Battle of Filton, a fixture made all the more significant by its potential impact on the league's bottom four teams. Despite a long injury list and call-ups to the Wanderers, the Misfits showed great character and resilience to field a competitive side.
Amongst a few debutants was Clifton Colt Ben Smith, the latest Clifton product to step up to senior rugby, adding extra excitement to the occasion.
This match is always one to look forward to, with the experienced and battle-hardened BAC pack facing a young, mobile Clifton side.
From the first whistle, the visitors showed excellent pace and energy, taking control early in the match.
Clifton scored early as Centre Leon Paul used his pace to finish out wide. Will Lang added the conversion.
Clifton then crossed again as Fly-half Will Lang himself broke free in the BAC 22 to score and add the extras.

The hosts' pack though had began to grind into gear and exert their dominance, forcing Clifton to collapse a scrum five metres out resulting in a penalty try just before the break.

HT: 7-14

The second half continued at a frantic pace, with the Misfits showing no signs of slowing down.
A well-executed team try finished by centre Tom Else, who showed great pace to scamper over the line saw Clifton increase their lead to 7-19. Lang, however, hit the upright with the conversion, which would later prove pivotal.

The hosts responded swiftly, their forwards again driving over from close range to close the gap to one score. 
BAC then hit back with another try coming from tight forward play after a sustained period of possession to tie the scores at 19-19 making for a tense final 20mins.

Clifton, knowing the home side were in the ascendancy needed a response.
After a thrilling counter-attack began in Clifton's own half, involving multiple phases winger Evans eventually finished it off to score.

Clifton then found the pendulum swing their way as Will Lang eyed a gap at a tap penalty after several BAC infringements to take a further lead.

Despite being down by two tries, BAC were not done yet and fought back in the closing stages with two late scores the first generated by their forwards and in a final flurry from the home side, helped by some missed Clifton tackles, a late line-break carried them over the line for a dramatic equaliser.

FT: 33-33

A dramatic finish saw honours even at the BAWA ground after a thrilling encounter. Both sides could feel justified in thinking they might have won had it not been for key moments throughout the game.

For the Misfits, this result ends a run of disappointing losses and offers plenty of positives. The introduction of several new players, a high-paced offloading game, and the highest try count of the season will have pleased coach Mark Nichols.
Most importantly, the valuable three points move Clifton up to 9th place, above Dings, with a six-point gap to the bottom two.

There were notable individual performances, with Colts flanker Will Law impressing once again.
Debutants Ayliffe and Else also showed great promise, as did stand-in scrum-half George Millet.
However, it was fly-half Will Lang who stole the show, scoring a brace of tries and maintaining an 80% kicking record, earning the Thatchers Man of the Match award.

Looking ahead, the Misfits enjoy another rest week before they face Kingswood 1st XV at home on 15th February.

Tries:
Paul
Lang (2)
Else
Evans

Cons:
Lang (4)



Photograph by Ian Clark

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