Cliffhacker!

Barnes secured the visitors' kick-off and replied with an up-and-under; Redcliffians got the ball and kept it for 5 phases and advanced before kicking into the 22. Barnes cleared to touch but the officials decided that they had taken the ball back into the 22 and gave the Reds a line-out just inside the 22. The ball was released to a forward at centre who made good ground; after 4 close recycles about 10 metres out then a switch of play, another close recycle and one more to the blind side had the ball in the hands of their captain flanker Fry who, with a man outside him, dummied to open up a gap and went in towards the posts at 3 minutes. Fly-half Groves added, with a kick that hit a post and went over.

Redcliffians secured the restart and used an up-and-under that resulted in their scrum near halfway. From it they kept the ball close recycling twice before being penalised 15 metres into the opposition half. The kick for a line-out gained 25 metres. Barnes were penalised for a man in front of the ball after that and they were sent back to defend another line-out 28 metres from their line. They stole that and used an up-and-under that the Reds easily dealt with. They ran the ball and got a penalty near halfway after 4 phases. The kick took them to their line-out 29 metres from Barnes' line. From that they released to centre and broke through to 8 metres out. Then after recycling 7 times, of which 2 were wider, they were penalised for not releasing 18 metres out.

Barnes kicked to touch 4 metres from halfway. Redcliffians got a scrum put-in 30 metres from their opponents' line after poor tapped line-out ball and having forced another error from Barnes. From that they kept the ball close for 8 phases; next kicks were exchanged then the visitors ran the ball for 5 phases before the opposition forced an error to get a scrum 9 metres inside their half. After that Barnes released to their backs and advanced to halfway before a poor pass was dropped to give the visitors a scrum. From that they advanced recycling 5 times until penalised 13 metres into their opponents' half. The kick to touch gained 24 metres then from the line-out Barnes released to centre Ruddock who made yards then they recycled the ball 5 times mostly close and advancing to 14 metres out to get another penalty. This was Barnes' first time in the visitors' half. They kicked for a line-out 6 metres out and from that set up a driving maul that efficiently drove to the line and over wide out after 19 minutes with hooker Garrett on the ball. The conversion missed.

Barnes replied to the restart with an up-and-under that resulted in an opposition scrum at halfway. The home team chose another scrum after getting a free-kick at the previous one. Following that they went wide and straight away were awarded a penalty for a no-arms tackle. A very good kick from the fly-half went into touch 18 metres out. The line-out was stolen and the visitors used an up-and-under that Barnes dealt with. They had the ball for 6 mixed phases before they got the next line-out at the visitors' 22. Directly after that the Reds won a turnover but then passed forward. From the scrum Barnes went wide and passed the ball into touch just inside the 22. From the line-out Redcliffians used an up-and-under; Barnes' backs ran the ball then after two phases they were turned over. The visitors went wide then kicked to touch 20 metres past halfway. From their line-out Barnes first kept the ball in then released to centre then used a long high kick to touch at the other 22. The Reds cleared to touch 12 metres from halfway; this, having been touched in flight by an opposition player, gave them another line-out. From this one they advanced recycling close 4 times before chipping through the defensive line to touch 16 metres into their opponents' half. Barnes used an up-and-under that the visitors got and ran; after 6 close phases they kicked high. Barnes got the ball then were turned over after one pass but just after that forced their own turnover. After recycling blind the defence was penalised 11 metres inside their half. Barnes' scrumhalf Davies ran the penalty and a couple of passes sent Ruddock to the line wide out after 32 minutes. The conversion went past the far post, but they had the lead for the first time.

Barnes cleared the restart to touch at halfway. Soon after the line-out they forced an error to get a put-in 4 metres into the opposition half. After keeping the ball in they released and got a penalty 4 metres ahead that was kicked for a line-out 16 metres out. From that their drive was held then after 3 recycles Redcliffians won a turnover and kicked out for the whistle.

The visitors cleared the second half restart well to touch into the other half. Barnes threw a quick line-out and used an up-and-under; the Reds got the ball and kicked for territory. Barnes chipped over; Redcliffians got the ball then at the next ruck Barnes were awarded a scrum 17 metres into the visitors' half. At that the opposition were awarded a free-kick which they ran they recycled wide and their right wing made yards. Advancing again, now to the 22, after one recycle they recycled 3 more times before being penalised 26 metres out. Barnes kicked for a line-out 5 metres past halfway then released to centre then recycled and kicked to touch just inside the visitors' 22. The Reds used a long up-and-under; two more kicks followed, the second to touch 5 metres inside the visitors half. From their line-out Barnes' lock Steele broke through the line-out with the ball then handed it to an opposition player. A Reds' line-out near halfway after two more kicks resulted in another free-kick for them. They ran this with 10 very good mixed phases getting to 6 metres out. Barnes thought they had won a turnover but were penalised; this was at 9 minutes near centre field and Groves was asked to kick the points and make the score 10 all.

Two kicks followed the restart; the visitors then ran the ball with a very good set of 13 phases before trying a chip. That bounced off an opposition player and Redcliffians regained; with that ball they made more good ground and more after one recycle then the defence forced an error to get a scrum put-in just 5 metres from their line. After a no.8 pick-up Barnes kicked to clear and got a penalty where the ball landed, 18 metres inside their half, and a man advantage for 10 minutes.

The kick for a line-out didn't go into touch; the visitors went wide and were soon turned over. Barnes had the ball for 4 close phases then at a loose ruck were penalised for handling the ball off the feet at their 10 metre line. The kick took Redcliffians to their line-out inside the 22 and from it they mostly kept the ball close for 11 phases until the defence forced an error to get a put-in 24 metres out. Barnes' pack pushed their opponents back and got a penalty 30 metres out that was kicked for a line-out 14 metres into the other half. From that they first released then recycled 9 times advancing into the 22 before being dispossessed. The Reds cleared to touch 6 metres past halfway then from the line-out Barnes put together a better set of a dozen phases before kicking for territory. The visitors soon kicked back well to touch 14 metres into the opposition half. Following the line-out there were four kicks then a 22 drop-out by Redcliffians. Barnes tried an up-and-under that resulted in a penalty against them. The Reds ran in Barnes' half before being turned over at the 22. Barnes got the next penalty after advancing 5 metres and recycling 5 times. Another kick didn't find touch and the visitors kept the ball for 5 phases before the Ref. judged the next ruck to be unplayable. From their scrum 5 metres into their opponents' half Redcliffians went wide but lost the ball after two recycles. Two kicks followed that then Barnes started a good attack with 4 phases before passing into touch 12 metres from the opposition line.

Away from the line-out came Barnes' largest prop and got to the line where it was decided that the ball had been knocked on. After the 5 metre scrum and 2 recycles Redcliffians had a kick charged down then recovered. At the next ruck Barnes were penalised for kicking at the ball. The visitors kicked for a line-out just outside their 22. They used an up-and-under that resulted in a penalty against them 4 metres inside their half. Barnes tried for the 3 points but missed. Soon after the 22 drop-out Barnes were turned over; the Reds recycled 4 times before they too were turned over. Barnes now recycled twice before kicking ahead; the visitors got the ball and recycled once before the ball was dropped, about 40 metres from the Reds' line. It was hacked on by Barnes' wing Cornish; its last bounce favoured him and he went unopposed to the line near the posts at 34 minutes. Replacement fly-half Hammett added.

Barnes dealt with the restart and soon used an up-and-under; Redcliffians soon chipped through the defensive line. This was followed by a Barnes' scrum at their 10 metre line. From that they had the ball for 5 phases before being turned over. They were back in possession for their scrum put-in 26 metres from their opponent’s line after one recycle. After that they kept the ball close for a couple of phases before kicking out for the whistle.

Bright, 100% blue sky, some wind; the pitch firm.