As well as handling the emotions of a local derby game it was clear before the game that the outcome would be influenced by the team which coped best with a storm force wind blowing down the pitch.

Clifton won the toss and elected to play with the wind and down the slope. Their eighth straight win ,with a try bonus point, demonstrated their superiority in adopting the right tactics in close passing and kicking as well as players throughout the team running straight channels to test the home defence. A strong bench was a key factor as the elements took their toll of tired limbs.

It was very much a team effort with full back Luke Daniels, centres Will Owen, Matty Smith and replacement Marcus Nel joining forceful back row men in making ground. Upfront the pack with Clifton Sausage man of the match Ricky Cano, sponsored by Monarch Education, to the fore gradually gained the upper hand.

Half backs Mitch Spencer and Olly Milner distributed sensibly and used the wind to good effect in their kicking. Milner kicked three conversions with a fourth from the touch line hitting an upright.

Early on a penalty kicked to the corner by Milner set up a catch and drive for Jay Evans to touch down. The Old Reds then tried to clear their lines but an attempted clearance kick was gathered by wing Zak Hamid who weaved his way along the touch line past defenders to cross in the corner.

Some ferocious tackling and good ball retention pinned the Old Reds down for some time. Centre Will Owen eyed up an attacking channel and burst through the defence to go under the post. On a rare excursion into the Clifton area an attack was thwarted illegally, and a penalty gave them three points before half time to trail by 3 points to 19.

For some time in the second half Clifton withheld the expected down wind onslaught and started to look dangerous themselves with Nel prominent . Some good passing saw Spencer , ever the opportunist, on hand to gather and score.

Old Reds know their own pitch and were not done yet as they built some momentum and felt there was time to chase the score. In spite of the Clifton pack becoming dominant the hosts exerted pressure and Harrison Murphy scored and with the clock in the red hooker Tom McLean also scored.

It was too little too late to dent the Clifton celebrations as they confirmed their second place in the league chasing leaders Camborne.

Story: Roger Opie
Photo: Ian Clarke (Zak Hamid scores)