We go again.......That is the resounding message coming from inside the camp this week. Despite last Saturdays defeat to Leicester Lions, Clifton return home this weekend with a focus on re-establishing their pressure on the top 4 and keeping their good form. The score line at TMDP Park, whilst arguably falttering on the hosts, was indicative of a performance that slipped away through a lack of discipline and decision making. The squad and staff are adamant that this will not be the case this week.

"We've highlighted the areas where we were inaccurate last week; we've been excpetional without the ball so far but last week we didn't get our detail quite right and over-chased. We went off script; this week we will need to address that. With the ball we have had some good moments, we've caused teams problems and we back ourselves emphatically, we don't need to talk about bouncing back as we have a focus on our goals for the weekend and how we need to execute our game plan."
Mike Barber, Assistant Coach

The arrival of Sutton & Epsom to Station Road will again prove a test in Round 5. The newly promoted outfit have struggled so far in their debut season in Nat 2 South, with 1 win over rivals Westcliff last week to take 1 win and 3 defeats; currently sat 14th in the table on 4 points.

Clifton will be without Scotland under 18 international Tom Jones this weekend who has picked up a thigh strain but are boosted by the return of Archie Benson from Gloucester as well as James Dixon's return from the Services World Cup in Japan with the Army.

Alex Giltrow is still continuing his recovery from long term injury, whilst Tom Wilson and Bentley Halpin are also in line to make returns to the match day squad this week.

"We've had a good look at Sutton and they are aggressive in D and look to play with width, so we have made sure we have adjusted our game slightly. It's going to be a great test for us after last week and the boys are bouncing to go."
Mat Protheroe, Assistant Coach

Clifton v Sutton & Epsom | Saturday 5th October | Station Road | 14:30 Kick Off