Rugby Brad crosses for four tries as Clifton rack up a century of points
CLIFTON returned to winning ways with an 106-17 victory over National Two South bottom side Westcliff who were outplayed in all aspects of the game.
Clifton’s superior fitness, speed and strength outplayed their visitors who never gave up and showed a few enterprising touches and good sportsmanship
An early lead was established when Niall Gibbons crashed over and then fly-half Jac Lloyd dummied his way under the post. He converted his own try and orchestrated attacks with well-timed passing and some astute kicking. Greg Bannister did kick a penalty for the Essex men and some rare moments of slackness by Clifton did let in Thomas Dufficy and Henry Morrant for tries.
The procession of 16 Clifton tries included four from back-row man Brad Talbot, who was always in the thick of the action, showing great awareness and power.
Other contributors were speedy wing Fin Sharp, who outpaced the defence on three occasions, centre Zak Hamid, who took his opportunities on two occasions to glide over, and replacement scrum-half Andrew Simmers, who sniped across twice as well.
Gibbons used his considerable strength to score his second. Harry Bate joined the scorers as did wing Bentley Halpin.
Lloyd struck six conversions and replacement Luke Cozens added seven.
While well satisfied with their win Clifton will be well aware that tougher challenges lie ahead starting with a visit to Esher this weekend. This confidence boost will stand them in good stead but coaches will remind them of maintaining concentration at all times.
A poor opening quarter at Woollam’s resulted in Dings Crusaders
suffering their third straight defeat, a 50-27 reverse against Old Albanians.
OAs started the game strongly and moved into a handy lead. Indeed, before the first quarter had finished, the hosts were 19 points to the good and looking to accumulate a substantial advantage.
Ashley Ilson crossed first and Jonno Wicks went over seven minutes later. Dan Watt improved the first, but was narrowly wide with the second conversion attempt. Watt made immediate amends with a sparkling finish to the nest spell of OA’s pressure.
Patient Dings pressure brought them a penalty try in the 20th minute. Then the mood changed to a more careless approach, but not
before Tom Mills made his presence felt for the bonus-point try. Flanker Tom Anderson crossed for Crusaders’ to cut the deficit at the break.
OA’s pressure in the scrum and line-out created an opportunity for Alex Ricci on the left, but Dings replied immediately with a try from hooker Tommy Gollop. William Defeo breached the defence threeminutes later and Watts converted, but Anderson touched down to the visitors four minutes later. There were two more tries for Albanians, one of them from Mike Bond, and a third from Anderson of Dings.
Dings Knights, meanwhile, were involved in a 93-point thriller during their Gloucester Premier clash against Old Richians at Sandyleaze.
Tries by Josh Lloyd, Brad Doggett, Joe Hawkesby, Miles Avery, Ollie Mahoney and Josh Body helped to secure a 50-43 victory for the Knights.
Dings Warriors chalked up a 33-7 win at Ashley Down, thanks to scores from Kyran and Matt Billing, Rich Stone, Robbie Fuller and skipper Lewis Baker.
» Old Redcliffians continue to go well in South West Premier after a 57-30 victiory at Okehampton.
Old Reds’ 2nd XV also racked up the points with a 99-0 win against Nailsea & Backwell in Somerset One.
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