Clifton stay second after overcoming spirited Newport

CLIFTON were relieved to return from Newport with maximum points after seeing out a tense final period of play with the Shropshire lads threatening to edge a win.

They arrived with an awareness that the home team had moved away from the relegation zone courtesy of four successive home victories, including well-fought encounters with top-six sides Redruth and Dings Crusaders

The first half found Clifton facing a strong wind but their pack soon proved dominant. Mobile prop

Rhys Charalambous made a fine break through the home to defence to offload to co-prop Ricky Cano and open the account. Fly-half Luke Cozens added the extras with one of four successful conversions which were to prove crucial to the game’s outcome.

Newport were in no mood to lie down and swift passing saw a converted try level the scores. Soon to be Hong Kong-bound wing Alex Kilbane then made two of his trademark breaks with both leading to tries. First, Zak Hamid broke three tackles to cross, then great handling by Hamid and Will Owen sent hooker Bertie Stretch on his way.

Somehow Newport found space to wriggle over the line for a converted try before the powerful Clifton scrum allowed No 8 Brad Talbot to add to his try tally.

Approaching half-time, Clifton’s 12-point lead was dented by a try in the corner but the visitors expected the wind to assist them in the second half.

However, the gritty home team were soon in the action and narrowed the margin to two points.

The visiting pack showed its strength in weathering the storm with scrum-half Blake Boyland initiating a move with Owen carrying well and Boyland appearing again in the move to score, before further Newport pressure engineered a try to shorten the gap to four points.

A tense final few minutes stretched the nerves of the travelling supporters who acknowledged that their hosts deserved their two points and to be away from relegation worries.

The win keeps Clifton in second place with a home game against old rivals Redruth to come and hopes of a first double against the Cornishmen.