HRFC   15   CLIFTON RFC   21

National 3 South

Phew! It was said a couple of weeks ago that 'only an extraordinary sequence of events would put Havant down'. That sequence was so near to coming about. As full time approached, with Barking beating newly promoted Mounts Bay(?), Clifton needed one more try to get maximum points for them and prevent Hav from winning a bonus: this would keep them up and put Hav down. Attacking in the Hav 22, Clifton moved the ball out left and found a gap for the line, but in the second that decided the future outcome for both clubs, an unfortunate Clifton back contrived a knock-on and the 'certain' chance was missed. With no further score, and confirmation of the Barking win, Hav survived to play again in Nat 3 South next season, and a very plucky Clifton performance wasn't quite enough and they go down to South West 1.

Before kick off, there wasn't much doubt in the minds of the Hav faithful, in one of the biggest home crowds of the season, that survival was a foregone conclusion. For the first time this season, they had the same line-up as in their previous game which was one that had performed so well at Rosslyn Park; and although having some decent results at home recently, Clifton had a very poor record on their travels, having won only one (at North Walsham), and indeed having been well beaten 15-42 by fellow strugglers Barking in their last outing.

It didn't take long for the doubt to increase. Starting off with much more determination, Clifton went ahead 0-7 after 6 minutes when some poor Hav out of hand kicking gave their visitors a chance to run back at them. With the help of some less than convincing tackling, Clifton broke through in the 22 and centre Barnaby Kent went in to score near the posts enabling the prolific John Barnes to make an easy conversion.

It was then a long time before either line was seriously threatened again, although, with ball in hand, the visitors continued to look the more lively. Hav's forwards, for once, were finding it difficult to get on top of their opposite numbers. A significant feature during this period was that both sides were giving the referee a chance to show off his whistling prowess. On 36 minutes one such 'whistle' was followed by Hav no 14 Richard Buck being given a 10 minute break for 'infringing'.

With the game moving into injury time, the tension increased when 'some poor Hav out of hand kicking gave their visitors a chance to run back at them. With the help of some less than convincing tackling, Clifton broke through in the 22 and wing Rob Viol went in left of the posts enabling the prolific John Barnes to make a relatively easy conversion' (Sound familiar??)'. 0-14 and Clifton were half way there.

Waking up a bit, a couple of minutes later, Hav drove forward into the Clifton 22 and were illegally halted. Clifton were themselves reduced to 14 men when, in an afternoon of 'duplication', their No 14 Rob Viol being given a 10 minute break for 'infringing'. Sid Claffey slotted it over to make it 3-14 at the half time whistle.

'Appropriate' words must have been said in the home dressing room, because it was Hav that started the second half the more fired up. From the kick-off centre Neil McGovern made good ground through the middle and, thanks to a neat chip ahead by lock Nick Whittle, Hav were soon winning a 5 metre scrum when Clifton took the ball over their own line. Hav drove forward, but couldn't quite make the line, so the ball came out right and with the overlap beckoning a Hav back (who shall be nameless) threw an awful pass that was nearly caught by someone in the crowd! However, Hav soon made their pressure count. Richard Buck, returning from his 10 minute rest, made a strong run into the visitors 22, when stopped he found Pucs who quickly passed to Sid Claffey enabling him to go over right of the posts. Sid converted making it 10-14 and, on 47 minutes, the tension was less tangible.

A few minutes later another McGovern break took play into the Clifton 22. Hav were awarded a penalty and tried the familiar 'kick for touch, throw, catch, drive' option yet again. It worked and it was no surprise to find that Dylan Raubenheimer had touched it down: his 14th similar try of the season! Sid just missed the kick and on 54 minutes Hav were 15-14 up, playing well, and things looked better than they had all afternoon.

However, Clifton were not finished. They upped their game as Hav seemed to take their foot off the pedal. It took a while, but they were eventually able to get their noses back in front. It started from an excellent kick from John Barnes from just inside the Havant half that found touch 5 metres from the home line. Hav knocked on in the line, and from the scrum Clifton moved the ball quickly out right and centre Steve Leonard went over for a try. John Barnes added the extras to make it 15-21 and still 10 minutes plus injury time to go. The relegation balance was swinging in Clifton's favour. They were getting on top and they needed just one more try! They kept pressing, then, as the game moved into injury time, came that crucial moment that sealed their fate when the try scoring opportunity was missed.

There was still 5 minutes of extreme tension to go, but Hav managed to hold out and, in fact, get themselves back near the Clifton line before the final whistle which brought huge relief to the Havant crowd, and huge disappointment to the vociferous Clifton contingent, as it finished at 15-21.

It was a mightily relieved Simon Morgan who commented after the game. "I hope we never have to go through something like that again. I aged by several years this afternoon. My delight that we have stayed up is tinged a little with regret that we have put Clifton down. They are a club with whom we have enjoyed a good relationship over the years, and they were the better side today, and for once 'the fates' were in our favour. There are many lessons to be learned from this season's campaign, and we must immediately start work on planning for next season's, to ensure that we finish at the right end of the table."

Hav

Keith Molyneux, Richard Buck, Neil McGovern, Sid Claffey, Richard Adams, Pucs Ngapaku, Liam Davenport.

Stu Ingram (capt), Tom Drewett, Tom Wells (Karl Randle), Nick Whittle, Ollie North, Jon Barfoot, Steve Cruddas (Ali Ramus), Dylan Raubenheimer.

Reps not used; Grant Morris, Andy Tart.

Hav scorers:

Tries: Dylan Raubenheimer, Sid Claffey   Con: Sid Claffey  Pen: Sid Claffey

Clifton Scores

Tries: 3   Con: 3