Clifton able to shrug off red card in try romp
Clifton……………. 48pts
Exeter Uni………. 14pts
CLIFTON'S pack dominated to set the platform for a convincing win over the students of Exeter University. The clash of the student league leaders with fourth-placed team Clifton had expectations running of a fast-tempo high-scoring encounter. The teams were sharing an equal points total of 155 points and an equal points difference
It was, though, the home team which showed the dominance and control to ease themselves into a comfortable winning position in spite of losing their playmaker Luke Cozens for verbally abusing the assistant referee during the first half.
The students were unable to capitalise on their superior numbers as Clifton dominated territory and possession as the game unfolded.
Clifton head coach Matt Salter said: “Playing against a strong wind in the first half meant that we needed to control possession.
“In the second half we dominated field position and kicked sensibly at the right times. In their 22 we showed patience and took the right decisions when our forwards took control. To compensate for the loss of a player our forward superiority allowed us to take a flanker off and play with a full back line and maximise attacking potential.”
Leading try-scorer Fin Sharp was the benficiary of good ball control to open the Clifton account before Luke Bralsford equalised for the students following a strong scrum.
A loose pass enabled scrum-half Jake Murray to put Exeter in front with Harvey Graham adding the extras to both efforts.
Before the interval a clever kick by scrum-half Spencer gave Sharp his second.
Will Owen, a constant threat in the centre, then scored the try of the game from a long swerving run with Cozens adding to two previous conversions.
Spencer kicked a penalty to give his side a tenpoint interval lead.
The second half saw Clifton in full cry and the pressure resulted in three yellow cards for the visitors.
Spencer cleverly jinked his way under the posts with replacement Zak Ward converting. Ever lively flanker Max Woodward next scored twice from forward drives with Ward converting one. On full time replacement hooker Bertie Stretch completed the scoring.
The Clifton front five had the student pack in trouble throughout the game with props Ricky Cano and Alex Giltrow to the fore and backed by second rows Freddie Myatt and Henry Harper
TEAMS
CLIFTON: Howman, Sharp, Owen, Nel, Kilbane, Cozens, Spencer, Cano, Wheeler, Giltrow, Harper, Myatt, Mortimore, Woodward, Broady Replacements: Charalambous, Stretch, Grinsted, Ward, Hamid
EXETER UNI: Thomas, Volley, Hill, Wimbush, Ojo, Graham, Murray, Freeman, Dunn, Gulley, Bailey, Cook, Kelly, Brailsford, Thorne Replacements: Webb, Alexander, Gordon, Bailey, Walker
Star man
REFEREE: Tom Evans-Jones Zac Ward (Clifton)
Exeter head coach Rich Hodges readily accepted that Clifton are a good side and were the better team on the day.
He expects to see them prominent in the promotion stakes.
He did show concern for the discipline of his charges in picking up three yellow cards but is encouraged by players returning from injury and some first starters.
Exeter will be concerned that their pack was put under such pressure by a Clifton pack missing a few regulars and so were unable to play their usual expansive game.
