On-song Clifton cruise into last four of cup competition

Clifton Under-16s 38 Thornbury Under-16s 15: Clifton marched into the semi-finals of the Gloucestershire Cup after producing a scintillating display of running rugby at Cribbs Causeway.

The Henbury-based side were simply irresistible during the first half, and on this evidence will take some beating.

Thornbury were a well-organised outfit who matched Clifton in most areas of the game. Their scrum was solid and they were competitive at the breakdown. Their backs ran straight and hard and their pack fronted up well. But it's unlikely that Thornbury will have come up against a more cohesive unit than their in-form opponents this season.

Clifton's off-loading game was a joy to behold as they endeavoured to keep the ball off the ground and avoid the collision at every opportunity, often meaning that the visitors didn't have a chance to reorganise their retreating defensive line.

Clifton dominated the first half and went in at the interval with a healthy 26-0 lead. Tries by wingers Freddie Barton and Ollie Hurst (2) were followed by a touchdown by flanker Mike Brook. Fly-half Will Watson landed four conversions in all.

But after the interval the visitors mounted a brave fightback. First, full-back Sam Jenkins slotted a penalty, then centre Greg Sewell crashed over for a try, converted by Jenkins.

Clifton replied with a try from full-back Jack Skelton, but again Thornbury hit back, with a well-worked unconverted try from wing James Tubbs.

Thornbury were again on the attack and probing for their third try when centre Matt Carr's gamble to go for the interception paid off, as he sprinted away from the Thornbury chasers to score from 75 metres out to settle the contest.

Clifton coach Karl Suchy said: "We're very pleased with our first-half display. We encourage the team to play that off-loading game and everyone is buying into the style. I thought our line-out went well today, and that obviously gave us the possession we needed to play."

Thornbury coach Steve Freke said: "Both teams were clearly fired up at the beginning, but Clifton settled better than us. They got behind us with their off-loading game and we left ourselves too much to do in the second half. But I'm pleased we stuck with it and got a couple of tries back at the end."

Clifton will face Hucclecote, the conquerors of Dings Crusaders, in the last four.