Lambert strikes a double to see off Barnes
Barnes…15
Clifton…22
AN Alex Lambert double helped Clifton to victory as they beat Barnes at Barn Elm Sports Centre.
But Barnes had a double try scorer of their own as Robbie Martey dotted down first on the 15-minute mark before crossing again late in the first half to give the home side a 10-0 lead. Missed kicks proved costly in the end for Barnes as Clifton ran quick tries in at the beginning of the second half to take the lead.
Full-back Lambert got the first almost immediately after the restart before William Pomphrey went over two minutes later. Fly-half Luke Cozens found this range and slotted the resulting conversion over to slide Clifton into a 10-12 lead.
Barnes weren't done there though and responded again, this time it was their own full-back Tom O'Toole who went over for the home side's third try of the afternoon.
Cozens responded with an accurate penalty attempt to level the scores up at 15-15 and set up a dramatic finish.
But Barnes' cause wasn't helped when Russell Nimmo was sinbinned to hand Clifton the advantage.
Enter Lambert who was not satisfied with his earlier try and added a second in the final five minutes.
Again Cozens was on target with the boot to put his side a converted try ahead but coming back again was just one step too far for Barnes – and Clifton left with the points.
