Clifton College vs Blackrock College Rugby 2024

Blackrock took a strong lead of 24 points but a late score at the end of the first half gave Clifton hope and the conditions.

Clifton dominated the second half and turned the deficit around to go into the final seconds of the game leading 26-24. However, luck was not on their side and a last play penalty gave Blackrock a 27-26 win.

Clifton were disappointed but also knew that they had been involved in one of the finest spectacles of rugby The Close had ever seen.

Matt Salter, Director of Rugby and Head of Performance Sports Programme said “I am gutted for the boys but also so very proud. We play our fixture list and especially this game to challenge ourselves against the very best. The boys did not come up short and in fact matched one of the world’s very best schools all the way. We have as a squad said we want to play these teams and with that we have to accept the games will go down to the wire and some we will win and some we will lose, but the most important thing is our performance and savouring the special experiences that these matches give us“.