Penalty try gives Clifton thrilling win in Guernsey

AN 87th-minute penalty try for visitors Clifton against Guernsey, following 15 minutes of reset scrums, three yellow and one red cards, marked a chaotic end to an even contest at Footes Lane, which Clifton won 26-24.

Guernsey started with the wind and wing Anthony Armstrong crashed over in the opening 10 minutes. Clifton, however, hit back when a break from Fin Sharp allowed Mitch Spencer to snipe from a tap-and-go, Cozens missed the conversion.

Clifton dominated the exchanges for most of the half as Guernsey struggled to play with the wind, and it wasn’t until just before half-time that they struck again, Charlie Davis crossing after a breakaway from former Clifton man Callum Roberts.

After the half, Clifton looked to use the wind better than their hosts and duly gained the benefit when Henry Harper crossed after sustained pressure from the pack. Right from the kick-off, Raiders came back and Ethan Smith crossed. A few minutes later, Guernsey extended their advantage when they capitalised on some poor tackling to score in the corner and lead 24-12.

Clifton applied sustained pressure, with the visitors dominant up front. Jack Bartlett crossed and Cozens nailed the conversion to bring the score to 24-19.

Clifton then showed strength and good discipline to camp on the Raiders line for the final 15 minutes.

Dom Rice was shown a red card before Sam Steverton, James Burger and Darrin Bellingham were all shown yellow cards before the referee finally awarded Clifton an almost inevitable penalty try, which sealed the win and the bonus point for the visitors to keep the pressure on Redruth, Esher and Worthing in the title race.