Unfortunately this must win game in our battle to avoid relegation did not go our way. We were in front at the break but our committed opposition snatched the game from our grasp in the opening minutes of the second half.

We were not helped as injuries forced Darren to field an almost unrecognizable back division which included Tom Preece making his first start of the season, Circumstances dictated our bench was made up of forwards.

Worst was to follow as after only 10 minutes the injury bug struck again when Gavin Curry was forced out of the with a ham string pull

We started brightly and James Mackay gave us an early penalty, This was followed by a well executed line out drive from twenty metres out and prop Rupert Freestone touched down for an unconverted try.

Visiting scrum half Matt Shepperd was working hard behind his pack and slowly they began to impose their influence on proceedings and they came close to scoring as he was held up with half time approaching.

The game came to life at the start of the second half and within three minutes lock Barrie-Jon Chapman had forced his way over following a line out drive.

The try went unconverted four minutes latter the All Blacks ran the ball from deep in their own half and the ball went through several pairs of hands before prop Darren Semmens crossed near the posts. Full back Kieron Lewitt added the extras and then stretched the lead with a penalty..
The visitors were now firmly in control and as a result of forward pressure close to the line No 8 Chris Courtier went over following a scrum.

With the final quartier remaining we attempted to come back into the game and went close following a forward drive when the ball was clearly grounded over the line.

There was due to the make shift nature of our backline a lack of continuity in our play and along with the visitors well organised defence and as a result we could not threaten a score..

Time was running out and centre Ryan Westren running from his own half dived over to score the visitors first bonus point try of the season. Lewitt knocked over the conversion.

Four games remain of which three are on the road. Currently we are only eight points clear of Lydney who are in the third relegation spot so to be safe we need to pick up at least another win.

Clifton Rugby Club

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