Blizzard turns to Breeze.

Blizzard conditions turn into a breeze.

At last the tartan blanket and trusty hip flask are put to use, the weather had prevented last week’s gambol against Drybrook when their pitch was flooded, not so dry we must presume! This week’s offering for the Wanderers was the hospital Medic’s xv unfortunately they play their home games at the University pitches and getting a game on those, when any moisture is present is almost impossible… what to do, well luckily and rather heroically Keynsham Rfc had the answer is bringing their 2nd xv over to Cribbs for an encounter with the Wanderers, very much appreciated and applauded by the rather larger than average crowd of 27 that saw the encounter.
The Clifton side had a few new faces and few much older faces boasting at least 2 former 1st xv captains in the pack. The game was very well refereed by Will Quibell and although the score line suggests differently, was a competitive and enjoyable affair.
The start saw us attacking Keynsham at every opportunity and perhaps we had taken them too lightly as the big K forwards started to take us on, we were forced to defend and ensure good ball for what were likely to be our lightning backs, thus after a few minutes, Skipper Williams dived over for the first score, unfortunately his place at the Johnny Wilkinson School was wasted, and he had a poor day with the boot, being replaced on the kicking front by the veteran Breeze after half time.
We played some better rugby following this and also saw Keynsham battle back well the next score did not come for a full 15 mins [Finkin] and then 10 mins later Foley, who had been like a puppy off it’s lead all day, then added a third after 30 mins. The score line was then altered by Keynsham who attacked up the left and went over to register a 5 pointer. This affront to the Wands resulted in a some prompt action and first new boy Gaurkass and then fly half Barnes finished good moves from the backs to register a half time score of 34 -5. Game over you would think! Half time saw changes at 3, 9, and 12 where Gollidge swopped with Denton, Venn with young Watson and new boy gaurkass with new boy Blizzard.
Blizzard got on the end of a sweeping backs move to score within 10 mins of being on the pitch, following a pen try awarded earlier and now the flood gates opened, the pace and quality in the backline really showed, and despite other positional changes including Venn replacing skipper Will the scores kept coming faster than a swear word in the big brother house! Another newbie Ben Johnstone rampaged over, Breeze got one, converted loads, even with drop kicks from the touchline, and the returned to the wing Venn also showed his class going in at the corner. Mason then added another beauty to the Wanderers “great try’s from deep series”, before the plucky Keynsham side pulled up their tattered gold and black stockings and smashed their way over in the corner, they were far better than their form had suggested and deserved more on the day. Levis then added the final score for Clifton and Breeze once more banged it over. A splendid 71 -10 win though we will face tougher opposition at Cinderford and Dings, well done boys a lovely day sat in the sun with tea and pasty from the good ladies of the kitchen. See you next week if we can find a dry pitch and a team to play.

Tarquin