Clifton hold on to down Barnstaple
Clifton……………24 Barnstaple……19
CLIFTON secured a vital victory against Barnstaple and scored a late try to confirm a bonus point.
Clifton scored first through a James Newey try in the corner converted by Danny Barnes.
Further sustained pressure led to winger Callum Roberts' unconverted try ten minutes later.
The second quarter was characterised by Clifton's stoic defending.
A penalty and yellow card in added time led to a Clifton five-metre attacking scrum – but they could not take advantage.
Barnstaple looked bright but the home side defended well and earned an attacking lineout close to the visitors' line. The resulting catch and drive delivered an unconverted try for Max Woodward.
Clifton's character was demonstrated by dogged defence which took 20 minutes for Barnstaple to crack with a drive over the line from Oli Mason.
A home yellow card led to a lineout and drive for Barnstaple, and they scored an unconverted try through Jarrad Hayler.
Undeterred, the boys in Lavender and Black pushed on and earned a bonus-point try under the posts courtesy of Nick English which was duly converted by Barnes.
Even with Clifton restored to 15 men it wasn't enough to prevent a third try from close range by Will Topps.
TEAMS
CLIFTON: Levesley, Clark, Newey, Wells, Roberts, Barnes, Spencer, Booley, Williams, English, Hall, Hill, Luckwell, Woodward, Chesters
Replacements: Rowland, Stephenson, Vaeluaga, Pomphrey, Harrison
BARNSTAPLE: Petherbridge, Topps, Murphy, Carter, Speare, Parks, Bath, Southworth, Mynett, Dugard, Mason, Hague, Hayler, James, Evans
Replacements: Drew, Lloyd, Lee, Bayet, Berry
REFEREE: Benjamin Russell
ATTENDANCE: 145
Star man
Max Woodward – Clifton
