Derby glory for Clifton as visiting Reds falter
CLIFTON rose to the occasion as they emphatically claimed bragging rights with a six-try triumph over Old Redcliffians at Station Road.
In damp, misty conditions under floodlights, the home side started well and tries from Fin Sharp and Luke Stratford, with one Brad Barnes conversion, made for a 12-0 lead as the first quarter closed.
From the restart, a dropped ball and a scrum infringement saw Old Reds able to move the ball to the touchline and Ethan Doyle scampered away for what would be the South Bristol side’s only try, 12-5.
Disjointed play from Clifton and sustained pressure from Old Reds gave Dominic Sprague two successful penalty kicks to bring his side within a point, 12-11.
However, after six added minutes at the end of the half, Barnes extended their lead from a penalty, making it 15-11 at the break.
A refocussed team in Lavender and Black emerged for the second 40 and suddenly momentum was shifting.
TEAMS
CLIFTON: Levesley, Kilbane, Stanton, Griffiths, Sharp, Barnes, Spencer, Roberts, Stratford, Spencer, Harper, Quinn, Hall, Broady, Clement
Replacements: Bullimore, Williams, Bate, Dixon, Halpin
OLD REDCLIFFIANS: Rapson, Murphy, Boxall, Baker, Farmer, Sprague, Gapper, Rasor, Ward, Joseph, Fry, Foley, Clements, Coster, Doyle
Replacements: Plumley, Freeman, Groves, Owen, Dewhurst- Chapman
REFEREE: Adam Wookey
ATTENDANCE: 112
Star man
Mitch Spencer – Clifton
A strong scrum mounted an attacking platform and the first to profit was replacement hooker Jack Williams.
Barnes converted and was back in kicking action again a few minutes later to add the extras to Tom Stanton’s score, 29-11.
The bonus point secured, the Clifton team started to play expansive rugby.
Scrum-half and star man, Mitch Spencer was by now terrorising the Old Reds’ defence.
The pack had also gelled and it wasn’t long before Williams scored his second under a driving maul to stretch the score to 34-11.
Charlie Bullimore completed the scoring within ten minutes of coming on.
