Viol's four tries guide Clifton to impressive win

Clifton 56 Richmond 15: In front of their biggest crowd of the season, Clifton enjoyed an eight-try romp over Richmond.

Clifton RFC director of rugby Darren Lloyd saw his side produce a scintillating first half in which they raced to a try bonus point within 27 minutes.

The expansive nature of their game was highlighted by the fact that six of their eight tries were run in by their wingers

Pacey Rob Viol went over after two minutes when, following a line-out, centre Steve Leonard made a clean break to create the space for the winger to score the first of his four tries.

Fly-half John Barnes converted, but it was not long before Richmond reduced the lead with a penalty from full-back Matt Hart.

There were few stoppages in the game as the Italian referee appeared, at times, to be watching, instead of overseeing, the contest. Following Hart's penalty, Richmond enjoyed a long period of pressure, but a well-organised home side defended well.

Eventually, they won a turnover and scrum-half Adam Jones ran 50 metres before giving Viol a run-in, with Barnes adding the extras.

Clifton were enjoying supremacy at the line-out, from which the plays for their next two tries started. Hooker Sam Wilkes was dominating in the loose with powerful runs and the back row were constantly making use of loose ball.

A Jones break from a line-out ended with winger Sam Smee crossing, and it was Smee who created the bonus-point try, putting John Levis over, with Barnes converting to maintain his 100 per cent kicking record. More was to come from the line-out when Jones broke through following a well-rehearsed move which ended with Leonard crossing for a converted try.

Richmond were battling to stem the tide and deservedly scored on the stroke of half-time when former Bristol University No 8 Juliano Fiori went over.

The visitors dominated the opening period of the second half and tested the home side's defence, who tackled well and achieved turnovers at vital moments. Richmond's reward came when fly-half Nick Cousins was driven over, with Hart converting.

Clifton came back into the game in the final stages and Viol scored his third following a cross-field kick from Barnes, who converted.

That was the fly-half's last act of the afternoon as he was replaced by Sam Kent, with centre Andy Bell moving to the No 10 slot.

Clifton introduced their full bench and scored again when Bell chipped through and a kind bounce enabled Viol to grab his fourth.

The flying winger, who has scored in six of this year's league games, took his tally to 98 league tries in only 105 league starts.

Jones landed the conversion and the final score came in the 78th minute, when Smee finished off a move which started with winger David Rees.

Jones converted from the touchline to complete an impressive performance from the home side.