IN December Clifton headed into their final run of fixtures for 2024 with 1st XV sitting in second place in National League West and the club’s second string team the Wanderers occupying second position in the Counties 1 League.
Six wins on the trot for the 1st XV who had scored fifty six tries in eleven matches and the Wanderers enjoyed a clean sweep of wins against all other second teams from National League West. Red storm alerts saw the anticipated clash with league leaders Camborne postponed.
A much awaited win for the 3rd XV the Misfits against St Brendan’s Old Boys 1st XV to the delight of team manager Mark Nichols was achieved through their resilience during the December red storm alert
President Richard Clifton feels “the first half against a strong Taunton team we had virtually destroyed them with some brilliant rugby by half time with the resilience to hold on to the game”.
Immediate past president John Raine proudly states ”my champagne moment was at Redruth as the Cornish forwards crumbled under the skill and aggression of the Clifton pack. A fine try by Ricky Cano sealed our win”.
Chairman Aftab Hamid was also effusive at only the third win in thirty years at Redruth and the first ever win at Loughborough but the turning point for him was the win at Devonport Services
Wyn Tingley highlights Clifton’s high scoring record and points out the impressive progression this season as a virtually new team has shown that under pressure they can carve out the wins.
Darren Lloyd adds: ” It has been so pleasing to see the development and bonding of a “new” team. Coaches, staff and management have stayed true to their values on and off the pitch. Solving on-the-pitch problems has brought results.”
Wanderers manager Cal Simpson looks back on positives and performances. “Even the narrow loss against Cleve provides satisfaction. The standout memory has to be the closing moments at Nailsea in chasing down the scoreline to achieve a late win. A penalty kicked to the corner followed by repeat maul penalties, yellow card for the hosts and finally a try!”
Commercial manager Alison Harvey loves watching a team that gets on so well on and off the pitch.
The Man of the Match is awarded each week by the Clifton Sausage Bar & Restaurant . Owners Simon and Joy Quarrie have, for a decade generously offered a meal for two and say it is good for business to be supporting a local club . They have recently been presented with a framed shirt. Recent winners include key players hooker Tom Anderson and fly half Tom Quinlan.
Roger Opie