National Two South

Clifton 50

Cornish All Blacks 15

Station Road

CLIFTON completed the double over a determined but at times outclassed Launceston side who showed plenty of spirit.

However the game will be remembered for the number of cards handed out by referee Luis Caviglia which were eight in total including a red card to James Tripcony.

The number of cards would suggest an ill tempered game but this was not the case, though at times the ill discipline of both left the referee with no option to issue cards.

Both sides went into the game in search of a win as Clifton had not recorded a victory since before Christmas while the visitors were desperately in search of points in their battle to avoid the drop.

The visitors started brightly putting the ball through several phases but it was the home side who scored first when on their visit to Launceston’s half fly half James Mackay kicked a long range penalty.

Mackay hit the posts with his second attempt but the visitors continued to play some attractive rugby levelling the scores with a Fraser Honey penalty, however it was only a couple of minutes before Mackay re-established the lead.

Clifton began to take control through their pack and an excellent kick to the corner set the scene for a line out drive which ended with prop Alex Giltrow driving over for a converted try.

The lead was stretched when a break by centre Will Pomphrey created a try scoring opportunity for wing Ian Clark.

Launceston scrum half Richard Friend was shown the first card and the game became scrappy as Clifton exerted pressure.

Mackay kicked a further penalty before, from a set scrum, the visitors were shoved over the line for Rhys Luckwell to score with Mackay converting.

He landed a further penalty at the start of the second half and then Launceston enjoyed their best period of the game and prop Robert Dugard finished off a move with a try converted by Honey.

There were six cards issued in the second half and along with a number of inter changes the game became disjointed and the visitors lost Tripcony for a dangerous tackle after 50 minutes.

The home forwards with prop Charlie Bullimore began to take control and wing Callum Roberts intercepted went the length of pitch to score with Barnes converting..

Lloyd Duke scored a consolation try before winger Elias Caven went over for a try and in the final action he was tripped in the act of scoring resulting in a penalty try being awarded converted by Pomphrey.

Clifton — Tries: Giltrow, Clark, Luckwell, Roberts, Caven, penalty try. Convs: Mackay x2, Barnes, Pomphrey. Pens: Mackay x4

Launceston — Tries: Dugard, Duke L. Conv: Honey. Pen: Honey

Teams:

Clifton — B Barnes, I Clark, W Pomphrey, S Harrison, C Roberts, J Mackay (Caven 48), M Spencer(Prince 40) ,C Bullimore (A Giltrow71), J Williams( Wheeler 48), A Giltrow (Brodley 40), J Hawkins, G Curry, R Luckwell, M Woodward, M Uren, (F Manners 13).

Cornish All Blacks — A Edwards, E McGuinley, R Westron, S Chapman, M Kneebone (T Sandercock 61 ), F Honey (C Swash 54), R Friend, R Dugard, L Bulut ( L Chapman 67) , L Chapman (C Reynolds 40), J Tripconey, B Hilton, P Hamber (Duke 41) (Hamber74); J Childs, J Duke

Yellow Cards: G Curry (Clifton), R Luckwell (Clifton), B Barnes (Clifton), R Friend (Cornish All Blacks), A Edwards (Cornish All Blacks), B Hilton (Cornish All Blacks), L Duke (Cornish All Blacks).

Red Card: J Tripcony (Cornish All Blacks)

• This Saturday the Cornish All Blacks are back at Polson Bridge where they face Old Elthamians.

As ever, the All Blacks will be keen to turn all their hard work and determination into points before it’s too late.

Kick off at Polson Bridge is 2.30pm.