Rugby Salter hails impact of Clifton bench after win against Hinckley
WITH the top six teams in National Two West separated by only six points, any matches between sides in this cluster will result in changes in positions in the table.
Both head coaches for this encounter had called on their charges to reduce error counts from the previous week’s games.
Consequently, a tense encounter was played out with the home side claiming the initial advantage when hooker Nick Selway was driven over from a catch-and-drive.
Hinckley were quick to respond when hooker Dale Bowyer scored a similar try, which was converted by full-back Joe Wilson,who went on to add two penalties to his tally.
It was Clifton, though, who went on to score five tries, and as the game progressed, particularly in the final quarter, they emerged as the superior force.to secure a comfortable win. Conditions did force disruption to both sides as the two packs competed on an even basis for much of the game
Matt Salter, Clifton’s head coach, said: “As the game developed, we got it right up front where there was a real contest. Our self-belief grew in the arm-wrestle exchanges and a telling factor was the impact from our bench. Replacement prop Alex Giltrow injected real power and Max Woodward was forceful in the final stages.
“We showed patience when it mattered and our defence was sound in shipping only one try.”
With only two points separating the teams at the interval, the second half belonged to Clifton with centre Will Owen showing strength and vision in midfield. He first scored after the interval, as his team were gathering momentum, and added a second from an individual moment of magic The game was rapidly turning Clifton’s way and, in between Owen’s scores, No 8 Brad Talbot, returning from a lengthy time out through injury, forced his was over.
While Hinckley defended stoutly, Clifton began to show how their
forwards and backs are able to raise the tempo and seize on any chance to spread their attack. Fly-half Zak Ward contributed three conversions, with scrum-half Mitch Spencer ever keen to inject pace.
Leading try scorer Fin Sharp had few attacking chances but showed his pedigree in the closing moments when he twisted and turned into the corner to complete the try count. Ward converted well from the touchline to close proceeding.
Hinckley showed themselves to be well worthy of their top-six position, and, while disappointed, head coach Chris Campbell will take away many plus factors. The last quarter proved decisive for the home team in securing the five points to keep the pressure on those above them in the league.
Clifton Wanderers’ unbeaten run continued with a 38-0 victory at Whitehall, and further strengthened their leadership in the Gloucestershire League through their dominant scrum ensuring plenty of possession.