Camborne, league leaders since October, arrived for an eagerly awaited clash against second place Clifton in early April. They led the table by one point. Clifton turned in their best performance for many a year to win by 41-26 and thereby took on the leadership with two more games to play
In Clifton’s case an away win the following week, with eight tries scored including a hat trick from hooker Tom Anderson and two by winger Zak Hamid, at already relegated Bournville placed them in pole position. However a home win over Exeter University on April 26 would be required to ensure the league championship and promotion. However if Camborne lost on that day Clifton would have ensured success.
Clifton’s director of rugby Matt Salter was delighted with his team’s performance in the Camborne encounter and commented “ This was by far the most complete performance I’ve seen in a Clifton side. However this was our quarter final and there are still potential banana skins to overcome.”
Camborne’s Rugby Director graciously accepted Clifton were much the better team on the day.
Clifton Sausage man of the match, Zak Hamid, was also awarded the accolade of National League player of the week following his hat-trick of tries and all round efforts. Scrum half and captain Mitch Spencer initiated the attack machine with well timed passes and astute kicking.
Some early loose play by Camborne was pounced upon by the lavender and blacks to send Hamid on his way to touch down under the posts. Camborne retaliated with a try and for some time the score remained nerve rattling with honours being shared. The cherry and whites possess players with premiership rugby pedigrees who made their presence felt.
Ultimately though the Clifton forwards dominated proceedings in tight play to release their strong running backs to cause problems the Cornishmen could not contain.. Winger Matty Smith powered over and the decisive score came when a well judged bouncing kick from centre Marcus Nel saw Hamid steal the ball from a defender and cross for his third try with fly half Tom Quinlan adding the conversion.
Clifton’s second team, the Wanderers, secured promotion from the Counties league to the South West regional league after a remarkable season in overcoming teams including first teams of clubs at one-time opponents of the club’s first fifteen.
Roger Opie