Old Albanian .49
Clifton………….24
ALBANIAN scored nine in a 12-try thriller to overcome a staunch Clifton effort.
Both teams played attractive running rugby on a dry surf ace. However, an organised OAs defence throughout the first half allowed them to amass 22 points and the bonus point.
All through, their defence held fir m against a physical Clifton side who were not helped by a 13th – minute red card for No.8 Niall Gibbons. The set piece went well for OAs and the scrum held up a gainst big opponents. For the most part, the lineout followed suit. The experience and physical presence of Ross Hamilton and Nick Stevens bolstered As and this gave a platfor m which went well all day.
Defence was sound, which allowed Albanian to force Clifton into er rors, which of fered up possession and position more often than not. Dan Watt marshalled the backs in exemplary fashion yet was able to convert just two of nine Albanian tries! Eight of those tries came from the backs, with Luke Barber, Alex Ricci and Charlie Watson all scoring doubles, with Morg an Thompson and Alex Chalcraft getting singles.
Mighty Ross Hamilton opened the scoring. Clifton’s penalty try was added to those of Matt West and Sam Goatley. Luke Cozens converted both and added a first-half penalty.
TEAMS
OLD ALBANIAN: Barber, Ricci, Deane, Watson, Chalcraft, Watt, Thompson, Crean, Bond, Chamnaoui, Hamilton, Illston, Brown, Stevens, Betts
Replacements: Townsend, Ramzan, White Martinez, Scopes, Brown
CLIFTON: Francis, Morris, Levesley, Goatley, Pritchard, Cozins, Spencer, Folkard, Williams, Roberts, Harper, Davies, Sheriff, Terry, Gibbons Replacements: West, Hall, Hill, Edwards, Harrisson
REFEREE: Ben Wilde
ATTENDANCE: 423
Star man
Ross Hamilton – Albanian
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