Match Report: CLifton Rugby v Cinderford RFC

Clifton led this game by fifteen points until just before the interval when Cinderford scored. The visitors superior physicality then led to them scoring twenty eight points before the home team scored at the end.

A charged down attempted clearance from the kick off allowed Clifton winger Bentley Halpin to pounce and give his team an early lead in what proved to be a hard and fast encounter with frequent skirmishes Cinderford looked sharp in attack but sound tackling by the home team and their ability to take advantage of opportunities led firstly to a successful Brad Barnes penalty and then a break by Callum Roberts presenting Sam Harrison with a try converted by Barnes.

A turnover brought the Forest of Dean men back into the game when Matthew Lane scored his try. The second half belonged to Cinderford and their forward power as Clifton spent most of the half defending their own line. There was almost an inevitability that the pressure would lead to points and after consulting a touch judge the referee awarded a try to Nathan Taylor which was then followed by the award of a penalty try.

Clifton then lost a prop to the sin bin after a scrum offence and the scrum superiority led to a further try by Harry Hone This was quickly followed by a further Hone try with Liam Hemming converting three of the tries.

Clifton showing spirit came back at the end and some quick handling saw Rhys Luckwell go over in the corner at the end of a bruising afternoon

Clifton Rugby
Tries Halpin [1] Harrison [23] Luckwell [79]
Penalties Barnes [22]
Conversions Barnes [24]

Cinderford RFC
Tries Lane [38] Taylor [44] Penalty [50] Hone [65 & 70]
Conversions Hemmimg [44 65 71] Penalty Try