Clifton cruise past Bournemouth

After the disappointment of last week when we lost at Taunton we bounced back in style as we maintained our unbeaten run at home this season which now stretches to five games.

To achieve this victory we came from behind as we produced a scintillating second half performance as we ran in 7 high quality tries..

Darren described the second half display as clinical and was at a level we should aim to reproduce week on week.

It was very much a game of two halves with the first containing play lacking both accuracy and intensity with scoring opportunities being few and far apart.

Poor discipline by the home side enabled the visitors to take the lead within the opening two minutes. We conceded 2 free kicks in rapid succession and the visitors elected to spread the ball wide. Our defence struggled to re position itself and visiting full back Dan Pollard squeezed in at the right hand quarter.

We then proceeded to dominate proceedings but struggled to establish accuracy and break the visitors defensive line, Pollard along with visiting half backs Sam Hardcastle and George Drake kicked well to keep their lines clear forcing us back with some excellent kicking .

Our only reward in the opening quarter was a close range penalty from fly half Charlie Foley but Pollard replied with a similar effort to maintain his side’s 5 point lead.

Bournemouth were conceding a number of penalties and after 32 minutes winger Russell Westcott was sent to the sin bin and Foley reduced the lead the lead with his second penalty.

At the break the message from the coaches was to be more direct and confrontational especially as space was developing around the fringes.

Our back row of Ben Purcell, Jamie Stephenson and Hugo Govett along with scrum half Matt Briton began to exploit the spaces and within the space of half an hour the line was crossed 7 times.

Centre James Golledge after a powerful mid field break forced his way over for a try converted by Foley.

The confidence in the side was brimming and the benefits of direct running against a tiring defence were being rewarded and centre Dave Massey took us clear wit 2 tries both converted.

Jordan Kelly replaced Massey in the 63rd minute and within 7 minutes he had recorded a brace of tries both converted by Foley.

Full back Will Pomphrey then imposed himself on proceedings when he raced over for a try converted by replacement Brad Barnes.

Within 3 minutes Pomphrey could have scored again but instead unselfishly passed to lock Joe Quinn who was the pick of a hard working front five. Quinn’s was converted by Barnes.

Bournemouth had the final say when Westcott raced through Clifton’s defence to score a deserved consolation try.

A total of 70 tries were scored in the league last Saturday which is an average of nearly 9 a game and 9 sides picked up a try bonus point.