Clifton defy elements to secure vital win
OVER the years matches between these two traditional West Country rivals have offered great entertainment and lively endings. Redruth wanted to avenge Clifton’s significant victory in December while Clifton aimed to hold onto their second place in the National League 2 West table.
Torrential rain had raised questions over the fitness of the pitch but to the credit of both teams and the officials a mopping-up operation by the home players permitted the game to go ahead.
Referee Max Weston was instrumental in keeping game alive as Clifton came through strongly in the final quarter.
Clifton coach Mike Barber said: “I’m proud of our game management under these trying conditions and particularly how we were patient in waiting for opportunities to come our way.
“We changed our tactics at half time and kicked less to keep the ball in hand. Moving England Under 20 player Sam Worsley to fly -half was important in directing our attack with the ball in hand especially as he has lacked playing time recently. Today he demonstrated his decision-making skills.”
A scoreless opening period with spates of kick tennis saw the deadlock eventually broken when, following a clean line out, Redruth prop Luke Barnes took his chance to score with fly-half Dan Rutter converting.
A scrum penalty allowed Rutter to increase the lead to ten points.
The Redruth pack was going well with Jess Tompsett to the fore in loose play.
The sun appeared during half time and strong words in the Clifton dressing room seemed to have an immediate effect with a strong surge from prop Alex Giltrow gaining ground to force a penalty kicked by Sam Worsley.
A quickly taken penalty by scrum-half Blake Boyland found its way to regular try scorer Brad Talbot who brushed aside tackles to cross under the posts with Worsley converting.
Honours were now even and with time running out Worsley kicked a penalty to give his side the lead for the first time.
Centre Will Owen then broke clear to power over the line to extend the lead and complete the scoring.
Redruth head coach Nigel Hambly will take pride in the spirit and commitment shown by his squad, which was depleted by several injuries. They can perhaps consider themselves a little unlucky that the lead was lost in the final quarter.
The ground conditions led to several stoppages for injuries. This was a spirited encounter and the first time Clifton have completed the double over the Cornishmen.
Clifton will now look forward to their final two away matches against the Luctonians and Loughborough students to secure their second place in the table.
Clifton
Tries: Talbot, 49; Owen 73 Penalties: Worsley, 42, 70 Conversions: Worsley 50
Hinckley 17 Dings Crusaders 20
A LATE penalty from TJ Wilstead earned Dings Crusaders a narrow National League 2 West victory at Hinckley.
The sides were locked at 17-17 going into the final 20 minutes, but
Wilstead held his nerve to seal the win.
Dings played with a strong wind in the first half and, following an early yellow card for James Moreton, Joe Hawkesby went over from a maul for a converted try.
Hinckley hit back with Callum Dacey and Ben Pointon leading an excellent break for Luke Hibberd to finish superbly. Dacey slotted a
superb touchline conversion.
As the wind picked up, getting out of their own half proved problematic, but it looked as if Dings might struggle to get over again in the half after a yellow card for Matt Smith. However, in the final moments, Hawkesby scored his second try for a 14-7 half-time lead.
In the second half, TJ Wilstead kicked a long-range penalty for Dings early on before two quick tries.
One from a maul for Dale Bowyer and the second from Callum Dacey - meant the sides were locked together at 17-17.
The referee’s whistle had dominated the scrummaging and he gave Dings a penalty in the 73rd minute, with Wilstead stepping up. » Also in National League 2 West, Old Reds won 33-29 at Hornets