CLIFTON RFC    23   HRFC   12

National 3 South

All things considered, Hav could have, and should have won their opening game of the new season on a dull, overcast afternoon in Bristol. They had most of the play, but, unlike the home side, weren’t able to capitalise on their chances and be resolute in defence when it mattered.

League debuts were given to Harry Heasman in the back row, to Richard Buck on the right wing and to Dickie Duke at full-back. Matt O’Shea made his first start since being injured in the last game of the 2005-06 season. A bench position was given to newcomer, Makulusio Kuroiyadi (henceforth to be known as ‘Maku’), a Fijian with the Army.  

The first 10 minutes or so was riddled with mistakes and indiscretions, from both sides, none of which resulted in pressure to either line. A good individual break from Steve Cruddas from half way to the home 22 was the only real Hav highlight during this period. However, on 12 minutes, starting from a Hav mistake in the middle of the field, Hav eventually managed to get their first points of the season on the board! Hav dropped the ball, not for the first time, and Clifton picked up and kicked ahead. Hav’s new full back, Dickie Duke, collected just outside his 22 and impressively jinked back up field making significant ground back to half way where, in stopping him, Clifton were penalised. A good touch kick to the 22 on the left gave Hav their first chance at the catch and drive. After a good catch at the back, the drive was thwarted illegally and Hav were awarded a penalty which they kicked to within 5 metres. All seemed to be coming to nought when Clifton stole the line-out ball and made a little ground with a kick that made touch still in the 22. From this catch and drive Hav eventually went over half way out, with Harry Heasman getting the touchdown. A good kick from Pucs made it 7-0, and Hav’s season was on its way.

It wasn’t long before the home side got their first points on the board. They made good ground down the left following the restart, and Hav were penalised in their 22 for ‘hands on the deck’: fly-half John Barnes had no trouble in making it 7-3.

After one of their better restarts, Hav were quickly back into the home 22 following a neat chip ahead by scrum half Simon Cole, down the right. Winning a line out 10 metres out, the initial thrust was halted into touch, and for several minutes second row Nick Whittle required treatment to his back. It looked like Whittle had recovered well when he soared over the opposition to take the catch at the next line out, setting up another good drive which saw Hav go over the line for their second try with Steve Cruddas getting the touch down. A failed conversion left it at 12-3 and with 20 minutes gone, Hav were starting to look like they had the measure of their opposition. But that was ‘as good as it got’.

Clifton came back quickly, and, following another kick ahead, from another Hav dropped ball in mid-field, they were able to gather and, with good support and neat passing, flanker John Levis was put over just left of the posts. A Barnes conversion made it 12-10 on 22 minutes.

The scorer wasn’t troubled again in the half. Clifton came nearest when they kicked ahead from another dropped ball and were just beaten in the foot race as the ball went over the try line. Nick Whittle’s back continued to give him problems and he was replaced by Ollie North.

Hav didn’t return to the fray for the second half looking particularly fired up, for which they were punished on 47 minutes when a more determined Clifton forced a penalty just outside the visitors’ 22, which Barnes slotted over to put the home side in front for the first time at 12-13.

Stung into action at last Hav took the game to the home side. There were good runs from prop Tom Wells and Cruddas that took Hav deep into the Clifton 22 where the home side were penalised for coming in at the side, for which prop Greg Setherton was yellow carded. Hoping to make their advantage count Hav opted for the scrum some 10 metres from the line. The drive made ground and, just short of the line, the ball was given to wing Richard Buck who was held up over the line. Scrum half Simon Cole was hurt and ‘Maku’ came on with Steve Cruddas moving to scrum half. Try as they may, Hav could not find a way through. Five further times they tried, but resolute defence from the 14, and ponderous execution from the 15, meant that, each time, they were held up over the line. Eventually, Hav were penalised for ‘pulling down’ and Clifton were able to clear their lines and the opportunity was lost.

Returning back to 15, Clifton, buoyed by their defensive success, started to get on top and Hav struggled to contain Clifton’s more effective back division. With only 5 minutes of normal time to go Harry Heasman made it an ‘eventful’ day by being yellow carded for an illegal ‘block’ tackle some 25 metres out. Maintaining a flawless kicking record, Barnes made it 12-16.

Moving into injury time, the 14 were now ‘on the back foot’, and looking tired. Clifton capitalised on their advantage from a scrum on the Hav 22 on the left. Taking the ball from the base, scrum half Don Blake caught Hav ‘asleep’ by going blind and running in to get Clifton’s second from which the prolific Barnes made it 12-23, which is how it finished.  

Not the best of starts! Judging by how their result went on Saturday, we have a lot to do on the training paddock this week if we are to contain a hard running Canterbury outfit next Saturday and get our first win on the board!  

Hav:

Dickie Duke, Richard Buck, Matt O’Shea, Steve Stapleton, Chris Brember, Pucs Ngapaku, Simon Cole (Steve Cruddas)

Stu Ingram (capt) (Karl Randle), Tom Drewett, Tom Wells, Ben Morgan, Nick Whittle (Ollie North), Harry Heasman, Steve Cruddas (‘Maku’) Jon Barfoot,

Reps not used:

Jon Turner

Hav Scorers

Tries: Harry Heasman, Steve Cruddas  Con: Pucs

Clifton Scores

Tries: 2   Cons: 2  Pens: 3