Defensive frailties condemn Services to another defeat

DEVONPORT Services need to tighten up in defence if they are going to end their losing run in National Two West.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

That was the verdict from team manager Kieran Leach after a 17-52 home defeat by Clifton last time out.

Services have played six and lost the lot since arriving as South West One West champions. With just two points earned from 30 available, they are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom of the table.

Leach said mid-table Clifton’s backs were a handful from start to finish, but Services need to do better when they don’t have the ball in hand.

“Defensively, we are not getting in the faces of the opposition quickly enough and that has to change,” said Leach.

“Clifton were quality – they had quick hands and a good offloading game – but we did miss too many tackles and let them go round us.

“Sometimes you just have to say ‘well played’ such as when Clifton went from a scrum on one side of the pitch to a try on the other in what seemed like three or four seconds.

“But to be more than just competitive for half a game we have to defend better than we are.”

Clifton went 0-19 up in the first half thanks to tries from Alex Kilbane (2) and Jake Buckley. Tom Quinland was two from three off the tee.

Aiden Taylor, back in the Services pack after an injury lay-off, got the home team on the board just before the break. Leighton Stark converted.

Stark got Services back to 10-19 down early in the second half, which hinted at a possible comeback.

Clifton scotched any hopes Services may have harboured with a five-try broadside that blew the home side out of the water. Matt Smith, Tom Anderson, Marcus Nel (2) and Jay Evans were the try scorers.

Services had the last word five minutes from time with a corner try for Bertie Fordham that Stark converted from the touchline.

SALTASH won again at the top of Cornwall One, but their 48-19 victory over Perranporth was not the sort of runaway result they have become used to this season.