Clifton stun with dominant display

By ROGER OPIE

Clifton…………………..52

Macclesfield………. 17

CLIFTON turned in their best all-round performance of the season and ran in eight tries for the second successive Saturday with inform winger AJ Kilbane claiming a hat-trick.

A spirited Macclesfield crossed three times in the final stages to recover from the 50-point deficit they were facing. Clifton’s incisive back division sparkled in the autumn sunshine with scrum-half Mitch Spencer, on his 200th appearance, partnering well with fly-half Tom Quinlan to set up rapid moves.

The first strike came from a well-judged Quinlan kick , a line-out steal and a pass to send Jay Evans over, with Quinlan adding the first of six conversions. An interception and 50-metre run sent Kilbane over before the jinking Spencer added to the tally.

Slick handling and a powerful finish saw

Matty Smith join the procession with Kilbane again chasing a kick ahead. A quick-tap penalty taken by Spencer presented Kilblane with his hat-trick. Quinlan then got his own kick to go under the posts.

The eighth try came from Freddie Myatt following a catch and drive. Macclesfield seemed to raise their determination and came back to catch a relaxed Clifton. Tries came from Jamie Harrison, Elliott Alston and Tom Jennings.