dursley v clifton

Clifton U13s travelled to Dursley with some trepidation, expecting our hosts to be out for revenge for their controversial defeat in the County Cup. We needn't have worried, for Clifton, having performed indifferently last week-end, put in one of those wonderful performances which make the coaches wonder we can't play like that all the time.

We were missing several of our Cup team and had only 14 players, so had to borrow one and (after an injury to the skipper) two players from our ever-genial hosts. Thanks to them and their boys for slotting in so well. We were intending to try some boys in different positions anyway, which was just as well, given the lack of numbers. Special mention must go to man of the match Shane, who played his first game for us on the flank and had a blinder, to the versatile Elliot who slotted in beautifully at full-back, and to the multi-talented Callum, who proved that he can play (literally) in any position on the field.

We set about our task with gusto, tearing into Dursley and spending almost the whole game on the front foot. Sam Read (pace and balance), Dom S (great straight running), Sam Devane (terrific pace) Tom (try stopping him from 5 yards out) and Sam Sproull (great determination) all scored good tries and we showed good speed, strength and determination throughout. We said before the game that today was much more about the performance than the result - we wanted to play 15 man running rugby - and we did. Well done to all the boys.

The day was only slightly marred by an injury to Louis, but fortunately that does not seem as serious as it looked. We wish him a speedy recovery.