Clifton nick another thriller

The fixture makers had presented Clifton with their longest away trip of the season with a league opener away to Canterbury.

Clifton’s side was very different from the one that lost by a point at Merton Lane at the end of March.

On this occasion Clifton came away with a two point victory secured with the last action of the game.

Five players made their league starting debuts for Clifton while a further two newcomers sat on the bench.

Clifton played down the slope with the wind at their backs and established a 12 point lead by the break.

They opened their account in the fourth minute when home fly half Tom Best attacking cross kick fell into the arms of winger Augusten Slowick who produced an electrifying 60 metre burst before putting full back Will Pomphrey. For an unconverted try.

After 13 minutes flanker James Stephenson gathered a poor clearance kick and powered his way past several defenders to score.

Clifton were now firmly in control and the lead was extended when scrum half Callum Braley broke down the narrow side on the half hour and followed his own kick to gather and score to score a try he also converted

Braley and Best swooped penalties and then Canterbury opened their try account when full back Martyn Beaumont went over in the corner.

This was just reward for the territorial dominance the home side had in the half but our defence was excellent.

At the start of the second half winger Charlie Harding went over after a defence splitting move which Best converted and went on to land a penalty .

The home side went in front on the hour when good work by their back row resulted in No Eight Tom Sherson scoring with Best adding the extras

This score revitalised Clifton with No Eight Mitch Eadie inspirational created a second try for Pomphrey which earned them a bonus point.

Canterbury earned their try scoring bonus point when winger Ricky Mackintosh raced the length of the field.

With 10 minutes remaining the home side were 5 points in front but Clifton had ideas which would destroy this.
In the closing minutes they launched an which went through approaching 40 phases before Eadie went over from close range to level the scores.

Braley landed the crucial conversion with the last action of the game to win the game.

Director of Rugby was pleased with the performance especially i the way the side gelled into a unit and he found some of their back play electrifying.

He was also pleased in the way they came back from what was a sticky situation.