Second-half spree clinches cup for Clifton
Clifton clinched the Charles Saunders Combination Cup for the first time in their history after going on a second half points spree at the Memorial Stadium last night.
Having led only 7-6 at the break against a committed St Mary's, the South West One title winners crossed six times with centre Steve Leonard adding a brace of tries.
Scrum half Steve Plummer kicked a penalty on 14 minutes as St Mary's took a deserved lead.
In one of Clifton's rare flowing moves, fly half John Barnes passed inside for wing Andy Bell to touch down on 25 minutes and Barnes converted before St Mary's added a penalty from Plummer.
Clifton started the second half on fire and Leonard crossed on 43 minutes before hooker Sam Wilkes touched down two minutes later Barnes added only one conversion.
But on 49 minutes Clifton's cause was not helped by Bell being sin-binned.
The sides were even four minutes later when Saints' blind side flanker James Foss was yellow carded before Clifton added another two tries in two minutes through John Levis and wing Rob Viol. Barnes converted to leave the score at 31-6.
Saints scored another try on the hour following a flowing, passing move. Winger Rob Ford skirted along the touchline before touching down.
Second row Darren Barry crashed over on 66 minutes, Barnes converting, but St Mary's fans were cheering again as replacement prop Sam Prior showed a great turn of pace to sprint over the line.
Saints added another try with nine minutes to go through centre Johan Schoeman.
But Clifton weren't finished with Leonard sprinting in from 40 metres out, Barnes once again converting.
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