News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Match Report (Video): Clifton Rugby 1st XV v Worthing RFC

Match Report (Video): Clifton Rugby 1st XV v Worthing RFC

Sam Harrison6 Sep 2015 - 22:59
Share via
FacebookX
https://www.cliftonrugby.co.uk

Debut joy for Roberts sees Clifton seal opening day win.

The toughest element for the team was when we went down to 13 men..
- Alex Giltrow, Clifton Rugby Man of the Match

Clifton secured a hard-fought win against Worthing RFC this weekend, with two debut tries from Callum Roberts the pick of the action.

The opening ten minutes were tough for both sides, with two penalties a piece making the score 6-6.
But it was Worthing who scored the opening try of the match when some strong rucking from the visitors created a gap in the Clifton defence, which they capitalised on. With the follow up kick converted, Worthing led 13 points to 6.
That lead was reduced, when some quick counter-attacking play, and impressive passing sent the ball out wide to Roberts, to score the first of his double with an incisive finish.
Despite this, Worthing extended their lead further when a combination of quick passing and skilful handling sent the ball out wide to score, making the score at half time 18-11 to Worthing.

As the second half began, Clifton hit back early, with another penalty from the boot of James Mackay reducing the visitor's lead to four points.

However, Clifton's task was made more difficult when two yellow cards in as many minutes, left the home side with 13 men. But Clifton pushed on, and when the visitors had a man sin-binned, another Mackay penalty was able to reduce the deficit to one.
Clifton took the lead for the first time in the match when a powerful pick up and drive from Allen Wheller sent him crashing over the whitewash. With the conversion successful from Brad Barnes, Clifton now led by 6.

And the Win was complete when good build up play between Barnes and number 8 Alfie To'oala, set up the debutante Roberts for his second, making the full time score Clifton 31-18 Welling.

Speaking after the final whistle, man of he match Alex Giltrow said

"The toughest element for the team was when we went down to 13 men, at that moment in time we knew that we wouldn't win the game if we conceded. Not conceding then, was the turning point in my view."

A message from the players has asked to be passed on to the supporters on Saturday. The noise that was generated by the spectators during the match was noted by those playing. They would like to extend their gratitude to the continued support by you all.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS ON CLIFTON RUGBY TV.

Join the discussion online via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Further reading