Playing with the benefit of a stiffish breeze in the first half, Stortford started aggressively and were rewarded with a try after only three minutes. Good hands in midfield showed winger, Dom Morris a chink of an opening outside, which he took with relish to burst past his opposite number and fire a pinpoint pass inside to Johnny Neville, who was able to canter in for a try and give George Cullen a straightforward conversion. Unfortunately the strong-running centre had to be replaced after 15 minutes, when he suffered a shoulder injury, with Pier Dotta coming on at fullback and Sam Winter moving up to allow Cullen to move into the No 12 slot. The team's performance levels did not seem to be affected by the changes, though, with all players slipping seamlessly into their new positions, showing the versatility they all possess. Stortford, therefore continued to dominate possession and territory, despite the opposition enjoying an edge in the scrums and this pressure was rewarded after 20 minutes with a second try, when Nick Hankin capitalised on a great run by Baxter Wilson to step and swerve his way through a strong defensive line for an excellent try which, once again Cullen converted. Stortford continued to enjoy the upper hand for most of the half and had numerous chances to add to their points tally, but these foundered on a mixture of stern Clifton defence and crucial errors and so it was left to the visitors to register the final points of the half. This came after Clifton ran back a good defensive Stortford kick, taking full advantage of a piece of clever shepherding of Sam Winter as he and Nick Hankin led the kick chase and would have been two on two. Instead the visitors' winger was able to run free and, give momentum at the breakdown near the Stortford 22, forcing a penalty and an immediate yellow card for Tom McCrone for preventing quick release. Clifton opted for the 3 points, duly taken by flyhalf, Brad Barnes with only 3 minutes of the half left.

The resultant 11 point margin did not look convincing and, as the wind rose during halftime, it looked as if Stortford might have to face a strong assault on their territory. In fact, though, as the home scrum started to improve and their continued strength at the lineout became increasingly important, it was the home side that continued to dominate both possession and territory. With second rows, James Apperley and Mark McCraith winning all their own balls and stealing a number of Clifton's the threat of kicking for position was largely nullified and the home team grew in confidence, as the half went on. As long as the lead stayed at 11 points, though there was always a threat of a breakaway - particularly as a rain/sleet storm blew through, raising the wind level yet further - but it was, in fact, at the height of the storm that the crucial breakthrough came, when Dom Morris timed his run from the blindside wing to perfection, to take a short pass in midfield off another clean lineout take and burst clear, from where his pace took him to the line for a try, converted by Cullen. The home team were now in control, but determined Clifton defence made a fourth, bonus point try anything but a foregone conclusion. Indeed, it took until the 76th minute for the line to be breached and it was Morris, again that did the trick. This time the opportunity came from a quickly taken penalty by Steve Ball, who made ground before giving his winger just enough space to squeeze over out wide for his second try. Cullen's difficult conversion attempt went wide, but he, his teammates and the damp, but undeterred Stortford supporters were delighted with the five point win.

On a day, when all Stortford's teams won, the Blues recorded a crucial home win over in-form rivals Bury St Edmunds to go top of the league - a crushing (!) 6-5 victory, somewhat against the balance of play, by all accounts - but once again, showing great team spirit on a surface not favouring the running game. Needless to say, an excellent night was enjoyed by many players and supporters in the Clubhouse!!