Clifton still rally despite Barnes hat-trick

CLIFTON showed great character in playing 50 minutes of this encounter with 14 players after losing two props through injury.

As the hosts had no further prop replacements on the bench, the game had uncontested scrums and Clifton had to play with a man down but performed admirably in doing so.

Clifton were leading 2112 when their numbers were reduced and had taken the lead early on when hooker Beno Edwards crossed from a catch-and-drive, with Luke Cozens kicking the first of his five conversions.

Hawks responded immediately when hooker Tom Emery broke for centre Dan Barnes to score the first try of his remarkable hat-trick.

Clifton attacked strongly and twice extended their lead in two minutes of play when firstly second row Matt Davies powered over and from the restart winger Jacob Morris made the opening for lively skipper Chris Levesley to cross.

Prop David Manning reduced the deficit and shortly before the interval flanker Sam Lunnon also scored, with Ben Bolster converting both efforts.

The two further tries from Barnes and one from replacement Alex Bradley, all converted by Bolster, completed the Henley scoring.

Clifton though finished strongly through tries by Henry Harper and Levesley again – almost securing a victory which had seemed unlikely just 15 minutes prior.