Clifton RFC vs Luctonians RFC
Saturday 11th January 2025 – Station Road
Match Report by Alex Smith
Photo – Clifton – Ian Clark
Luctonians began 2025, in very similar fashion to how they ended 2024, with a narrow defeat to one of the top sides in the division, as they went down 16-12 away at 2nd placed Clifton.
On a cold, grey day in Bristol, the visitors came out of the blocks sharply and held a 0-12 lead after 15 minutes, following excellent work from their forwards.
Firstly, skipper Ben Link went over for his 11th score of the season, as a powerful driving maul gave Lucs the perfect start on five minutes. Jack Park was unable to convert, but Josh Watkins score, after more good work from the forwards, was converted by Park, and this meant the Herefordshire men enjoyed a comfortable lead after quarter of an hour.
The remainder of the half was largely played in Luctonians territory, with the hosts throwing wave after wave of attack at Lucs. But the top ranked defence in the division held firm, however unable to regularly clear their lines, they continued to face further onslaughts from Clifton, and on 37 minutes the hosts got in down the right touchline for Jay Evans to go over for an unconverted try that meant the score was 5-12 at the break.
Half Time Score
Clifton RFC 5 – 12 Luctonians RFC
The second period started in much the same manner, as Clifton outflanked Lucs on the right hand side once more and this time centre Matt Smith touched down, with Ollie Millner again missing the conversion on 42 minutes.
Both sides seemed fairly error-strewn as the second period wore on, but Clifton were able to take the lead on 50 minutes through the boot of Millner, who this time made no mistake from a penalty in front of the sticks, given for a player not rolling away from the tackle. 20 minutes later, the trick was replicated, as the same infringement was repeated by the visitors and Millner extended the lead to 16-12.
This finally shook Lucs back into life and they applied great pressure on the Clifton line as the half came to a finale, but were on the end of a scrum penalty when 5 metres out from the Clifton line with 30 seconds remaining on the clock, to see their hopes of victory disappear.
Full Time Score
Clifton RFC 16 – 12 Luctonians RFC
Clifton’s win takes them within four points of leaders Camborne at the top of the division, whilst Lucs will lick their wounds down in 5th and look to regroup as they host bottom side Devonport Services this coming Saturday at Mortimer Park.
