Having fought out a well contested draw in the away match, the U16s welcomed Clifton to Lobbingtons for the return fixture. The conditions were bright and sunny, while underfoot the ground was very firm which set the stage for an open running game.

Playing into quite a breeze, Chew started on the front foot and soon opened their account with a try which was fashioned out of several phases of pick and go by the forwards, Fraser Barker and Patrick Wring being key protagonists, with the ball then worked wide through the hands for Jack Gardiner to burst to the line. Jack then added the extras. Chew built on this with a further running try this time from Arthur Heard who was typically combative throughout the match.

Chew looked in great shape, however, Clifton grew strongly into the game and delivered two tries of their own such that the scores were close at the break with Chew leading 12 v 10. In the second half, Clifton maintained their momentum being successful at disrupting in open play, turning over at the breakdown and in counter attack. As a consequence, they profited from loose play by Chew and scored a converted try taking the lead.

Chew had to dig deep and materially improve their accuracy and ultimately did so. Following some tight interplay on the left wing, Arthur Heard received an offload from Ewen Tarrant to accelerate from 15 metres out and cross the whitewash. Then Patrick Farrar was released in open play from just inside the Clifton half to burst through the defence and score. And, finally, as the clock ran down, with Chew continuing to apply pressure to see the game out successfully, Arthur Heard returned the favour and whipped a pass to Ewen Tarrant who beat the defence on the left wing. All three of those scores were converted by Freddie Patch or Jack Gardiner rounding off a good day with the boot for both.

Other points worthy of mention in terms of the success of Chew's platform were the soundness of the set piece with Chew retaining line out ball (so often an achilles heel this season) and sometimes stealing possession while the scrum, too, was very solid with a couple of scrums taken against the head. Will Booker, notably, had a good game in the forwards with possession turned over on a number of occasions through line out steal and successfully jackaling.

Unfortunately, one of Clifton's players suffered a disclocated knee on the hard ground and we wish him well with his recovery. We also thank Clifton for a well contested game played in the great spirit we have consistently enjoyed in the past.

Thanks also to Jehan Jaldin, from Bristol Referees, who kindly officiated the match.