Clifton Rugby swapped the oval ball for bat and ball on Sunday for the annual cricket fixture against our friends at Bishopston Cricket Club — and came within a couple of lusty blows of pulling off a memorable run chase.

Bishopston won the toss and elected to bat first, with Clifton taking to the field in decidedly un-rugby-like conditions.

The hosts made a brisk start, reaching 54 for two after five overs, but Clifton were finding ways to make inroads. Will Joyce and Max McCarthy both held catches, while Chris Barnard produced one of the fielding highlights of the afternoon with a spectacular one-handed stop which prevented what looked certain to be six.

Brad Talbot also found his rhythm with the ball, forcing one Bishopston batter to play on, before Barnard's slower delivery drifted beautifully in and removed the off stump.

Ricky Cano then entered the attack in fairly dramatic fashion. His first ball sent the off stump flying — followed by a level of celebration perhaps more appropriate to a last-minute winning try than a Sunday afternoon cricket match.

Chris Packer also got in on the act, taking a catch right on the boundary to dismiss Bishopston's Hamza, who had made an excellent 54.

Bishopston eventually closed their innings on 229, leaving Clifton requiring almost exactly two runs a ball in reply.

And Clifton certainly gave it a go.

Paul Fincken and Ollie Milner opened the batting and immediately set about the target. After three overs Clifton were 28 without loss, before the accelerator went down properly: 42 without loss after five became 68 without loss, with Fincken finding the boundary repeatedly.

Fincken reached a fine 50 before retiring to the boundary, and Clifton were very much in the contest at 85 for one after nine overs.

There were a few inevitable bumps along the way. Ollie lost his off stump around the drinks break and wickets began to interrupt the momentum, but Clifton continued to attack.

At 95 for three after 11 overs there was still plenty to do, before Ricky Cano and Will Joyce began rebuilding. From 137 for three after 15, they moved the score rapidly to 154 for three after 16.

Joyce was particularly destructive as the required rate climbed, eventually reaching an excellent 60 before retiring.

Chris Packer then announced his arrival in uncomplicated rugby-player fashion — six from his first ball.

With two overs remaining Clifton had reached 190 for five. The target was still improbable, but certainly not impossible.

At the start of the final over the equation was 24 runs required.

Packer and Max McCarthy gave it everything. The first delivery disappeared for six and, for a moment, there was just the suspicion that something ridiculous might happen.

It wasn't quite to be.

Clifton finished around 218 for five, leaving Bishopston winners by approximately 11 runs after a hugely entertaining afternoon of cricket.

Most importantly, another excellent edition of what has become a thoroughly enjoyable annual fixture between the two clubs — competitive enough to matter, relaxed enough to be fun, and with just enough evidence to suggest that a few of Clifton's rugby players might actually know what they're doing with a cricket bat.

Our thanks to everyone at Bishopston Cricket Club for their hospitality and another cracking afternoon.

Next up: London Welsh at Station Road

The cricket bats can go away now — because rugby returns to Station Road this Saturday, 22 August.

Clifton welcome London Welsh for a big afternoon of pre-season rugby, with both the 1st XV and Wanderers in action as preparations for the new campaign gather pace.

It should be a cracking day at the club, so come down, support the Lavender & Blacks and get your first proper rugby fix of the new season.

Clifton Rugby v London Welsh
Saturday 22 August
Station Road

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