AFTER the first two months of the season Clifton Rugby Club’s 1st XV find themselves in second place in the National League West table as a result of five wins, one drawn game and an agonising loss at Chester with the home team kicking a penalty with the last action of the encounter to win a game in which Clifton had most of the possession and territory.
Following their morale boosting away win at local rivals Dings Crusaders there were exciting matches on successive Saturdays against the two teams, Camborne and Redruth, from the former Cornish tin mining towns. A strong second half performance saw them pile pressure to erase the Camborne lead. The Redruth men responded in the second half to edge the draw.
A home win against Weston side Hornets saw our local boys exert control and style to win, with the best performance of the season coming in Leicestershire at Hinckley against a team many see as promotion rivals. Six stunning tries in the first half set up Clifton for a 49-14 victory with player-coach Luke Cozens converting every try scored. Luke’s assured kicking has, as ever, been instrumental in the team’s success.
September’s player of the month was Charlie Bullimore with his father’s business InStep Shoes being one of the Clifton Village sponsors of the club.
Sunday September 24 saw the return of the annual Clifton Minis rugby festival. The festival is the biggest event in the Clifton Minis calendar and is also one of the biggest in the South West with around 100 teams entered and over 1000 players ranging from Under 7s up to the Under 12 age groups. The annual festival, which is played with the emphasis on the rugby values of teamwork, enjoyment, respect, discipline and sportsmanship, has no outright winners with the aim being all the children involved would come away feeling like winners at the end of the tournament. With several of our local neighbouring clubs in attendance, it was a fantastic event, as well as raising lots of funds for the Clifton minis section.
The mini and junior players meet every Sunday and new players are always welcome.
For further information contact minischair@cliftonrugby.co.uk
In the run in to Christmas home 1st XV at 14.30 are:
4 November: Dudley Kingswinford
18 November: Luctonians
2 December: Loughborough Students
16 December: Dings Crusaders
ROGER OPIE