An early start to Sunday morning saw the season opener at Gordano Sharks RFC. After a rather lack lustre warm-up and the boys still wiping the sleep out of their eyes, it was time to get down to business.

Clifton asserted their dominance right from the whistle, with some excellent play, passing through the hands and making good use of the wider pitch. Several phases of play saw Clifton gain territory and good defensive pressure and counter rucking led to a scrum inside the opposition 22. Tenacious work at the scrum from the forwards was rewarded with a steal against the head. Ellis quick to react popped to Alfie who crossed for the first score.

From the restart Clifton secured possession and worked a number of phases testing the Sharks defensive line. Working the space and building the pressure a gap opened and Alfie exploited the space and powered over for try no. 2.

Gordano responded well and started to make use of some continuity and possession, sending some strong runners up field and spreading the ball down the right side. The Clifton defence stayed strong and forced a mistake and turnover at the breakdown. Alfie cleared downfield and a strong kick chase from Louis, Ellis and Ollie resulted in a great open field hit from Ollie and Clifton regaining possession 40m upfield.

With fresh legs coming on and keeping up the high standard and work rate, Clifton continued to pile pressure on the Sharks. Solid rucking and great work from the forwards was rewarded when Ellis picked and sniped round the ruck and over the line for our third try.

As the 1st half drew to a close, Clifton played more direct with powerful carries from Freddie C, Finn, Scott and Dylan. Forwards rucked well and presented an opportunity for Ellis to zip round the side of the ruck and break some tackles. The crowd were left on tenterhooks as the ref delayed the decision. Seemingly conferring with the TMO, finally blew the whistle... T. R. Y. Try number 4 and 2nd for Ellis.

The 2nd half saw a resurgence from the Sharks with Clifton deprived of possession for long periods. Fresh legs for Gordano made an impact and the game became more even. Clifton defended well, but the pressure from Gordano told as they exploited a gap and some strong running to score their first try of the game.

The lavender and blacks forced their way back into the ascendancy. Strong ball carrying from Freddie S, Oscar and Ruhi earned good field position as Clifton piled on the pressure once again. Good tackling earned a scrum 5 metres out, down the left side. A solid scrum and quick strike gave Ellis perfect ball to sneak down the blindside and feed Oscar S, who powered through two defenders to dive over the line.

Fantastic effort and unselfish play from all. Awesome start to the season!

Final score. Gordano 5-25 Clifton
Forwards MoM - Freddie Conway. Backs MoM - Ellis Garty