Clifton under perform against a strong Dings team

Leagues were first introduced in Season 1987-88 with our first game being against Weston.

It was over fifteen seasons later when the paths of Dings and ourselves first clashed in the leagues . The year was 2002, the month September, the venue was Landseer Avenue and the result was narrowly in favour of the home side. Prior to today’s game there have been fifteen previous league meetings between the clubs with Dings coming out on top on nine occasions with one drawn. I leave it to the mathematically inclined to work out the success ration of Clifton. The margins are invariably close with the widest margin being thirty and only on two previous occasions has been in excess of ten,

The scene was set for the sixteenth. Clifton have won the earlier clash at Station Road came into the game in a fourth position with their dreams of a playoff spot diminished while were still very much under the threat of relegation. Clifton for various reason were deprived of several first choice players which did not help their cause and their display on the day being very much out of sorts.

They meet a fired up Dings side who on the day produced a dominant performance with what was their best display of the season.

They showed their intentions from the kick off laying Clifton under siege without a storming assault on the Clifton line which ended with prop James Cooke going over for an unconverted try. Full back Mark Woodrow extended the lead with a penalty,

We lost the services of captain and hooker Paul Fincken who suffered three breaks in his wrist. Rumour has it Paul may be retiring at the end of the season so what a disappointing way to end a career which has included spells at Dings and Newbury. I believe he has captained all three clubs. And has also represented the County.. We wish Paul a speedy recovery.

We were hanging in and holding our own at scrum time and we also put ourselves on the board with a penalty from Brad Barnes

The last hour was dominated by Dings as they showed energy, tenacity, drive and accuracy making few errors as everything they tried worked.

We faded badly as we could not compete with the pace Dings .

Woodrow extended the lead with mid way through the half and when Dings eventually broke through winger Jack Nowell a product of Broad Plain crossed in the corner with Woodrow converting.

Lock and skipper Ed Hack scored Dings third try at the start of the second half and as Clifton’s defence fell away Nowell completed his hat trick in the space of five minutes. and centre Rob Dempsey scored the final try. Woodrow added a conversion and penalty after the break.

Our only second half points came from a try from Ellis Genge and a Barnes coversion.