Newly promoted Clifton experienced a tough baptism to National League One rugby with early season clashes with top teams.
However, three successive victories since the end of October have placed them in mid table. A 55-29 trouncing of Bishops Stortford at Cribbs Causeway was followed by a hard fought away success at Leicester Lions.
Top of the table confident Londoners from Rosslyn Park arrived as visitors in mid November with a sizeable band of supporters who were to return defeated along the M4.
CLIFTON 37 ROSSLYN PARK 29
The league leaders came unstuck against a resurgent Clifton who outplayed them in several aspects of this thrilling encounter with superior kicking, solid scrums and the ability to maintain greater discipline and composure as the pressure grew and emotions ran high.
However, Clifton turned the screw when it mattered most and put serious pressure on the visitors’ line with flanker Naquan Smith crashing over for a vital try on his first start for the 1st XV, This came following. a sustained team effort. During that period Clifton forced Rosslyn Park to concede several penalties and incur a yellow card
Full back Harry Johnson, Clifton Sausage Man of the Match, was rock solid under the high ball and gained much ground with his line kicking.
An Ollie Millner penalty opened proceedings with a catch and drive then feeding debutant scrum half Joe Snow who sniped and weaved across with Millner adding the first of four conversions.
With forwards and backs, often spearheaded by Will Owen gaining ground in midfield attacks the visitors were becoming unsettled Their attacking options were limited with the Clifton pack strong in tight and loose play.
Brad Talbot, as formidable as ever, powered over fortwo tries either side of half time from a catch and drive and a loose pick up extended the lead but the opposition fought back with two tries before Clifton settled the issue.
The coaching staff can take much credit for the development of this squad whose increased confidence is remarkable. The winning team showed quite a few changes through non availability and injuries from the previous weeks victorious selection and is testament to the depth of the club’s playing resources.
6 December Tonbridge Juddians – home
13 December Birmingham Moseley – away
20 December Plymouth Albion – home
Roger Opie