BOURNVILLE 28 CLIFTON 57
Report by Billy Page
High flyers Clifton picked up a bonus point win on the road against a plucky Bournville side who managed to take a try-scoring bonus point for their troubles. Clifton started the game with a perfect blend of ferocity and accuracy and raced to a 14-0 lead thanks to their stand off who dotted down twice and kicked two goals. Tight head prop Alex Giltrow was the next Clifton scorer, shortly followed by flanker Max Woodard with the stand-off adding a conversion for a 26-0 lead. Bourns crossed after the Clifton winger tapped a penalty kick for touch back in play and Mikey Ho crossed with Max Craven adding the extras. Freddie Myatt for Clifton and Tom Burrows for the hosts also scored to leave the half time score at 33-14.
Despite the wind at their back Bourns couldn’t make the most of it as Clifton’s scrum proved too powerful for the hosts. A penalty try, a Daniel Wells score and a try to replacement Zakaira Hamid pushed the score out to 52-14. Bournville did well to fight back and were rewarded with a penalty try and then a fine first phase strike sent Tom Burrows over for his 2nd with Craven adding the extras. Replacement Hamid had the final say after a lovely break by Will Owen saw him the beneficiary for a well-deserved win that keeps them in touch with the league leaders.
For Bourns there were positives to take despite the scoreline. Clifton have recruited well and strongly with a number of players in their side with plenty of experience in the top two echelons of the game in this country. 3,2,1 on the day…
1- Mikey Ho; lively with ball in hand as always leaving defenders clutching at thin air.
2- Jamie Harding; despite the pressure in the scrum, got through plenty of work in the loose and looked a threat ball in hand with some particularly strong carrying.
3- and star man Tom Burrows; two well-taken tries and plenty of work in cover defence and on the kick chase.
Through the viewfinder
Not the result anyone wanted, but I feel that most suspected.
Another dogged display by a Bournville team that never gives up.
1 point gained from a team that I feel will be in the promotion battle, was a huge bonus – pardon the pun.
Photos. Take a look HERE for the few I decided to use. You can have too much of a good thing.
Go on then I’ll use it – ‘Clifton – a bridge too far’.
Let’s see what happens at Leicester.
Sully – Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer
