This thrilling game was played out in dedication to celebrate the memory of Matt Salter, Clifton’s Director of Rugby. Few would have dared anticipate the tension and excitement which unfolded as the occasion headed towards the final whistle.

Before the kick off, players and officials from both clubs joined together with Matt’s close family and a large crowd to remember him. Behind that line on the pitch stood the Clifton College 1st XV in full kit; he had been their hugely regarded Director of Rugby. Both teams had worn warm-up shirts with his playing number Salter 6 on their backs.

As the game reached its conclusion with the clock in the red, a monumental effort saw Clifton backs join their forwards in a driving maul to secure the victory with Ollie Stirling touching down and James McKinney slotting the conversion. A full team effort roared on by Clifton partisans!

Four tries to each side with the difference being the 100 percent kicking of conversions by Clifton’s Tom Quinlan and James McKinney proving to create the winning margin. Quinlan’s two efforts from wide out were hugely significant.

Just before the final score, and trailing by three points, Clifton declined a penalty kick at goal to draw the game and decided to kick to the corner and launch a drive from the lineout. This option paid off handsomely, and more than repaid the confidence and enterprise Matt Salter had installed in his players.

As the second half progressed Clifton gained more of the possession and territory and reduced their error count which had coughed up too many penalties in the first half.

Two tries were scored by the Crusaders while Clifton were reduced to thirteen men and gave them a ten point lead.

Early in proceedings honours were shared when full back Harry Johnson sent scrum half Mitch Spencer, a livewire throughout, over with Tom Quinlan converting. Immediate response saw wing Harry Rowson score, with George Boulton adding the two points.

The pulsating pace did not once relent with some strong forward engagement and the speedy Clifton backs making efforts to pierce a strong defence.

Cross field play ended with prop Archie Stanley putting Dings ahead before Clifton’s Max McCarthy skipped skilfully into the corner. Sam Scott then put Dings ahead with Rowson adding his second.
Clifton’s Will Owen, who had tested the Dings defence all game, powered over to set up the determined finish, and then came Stirling’s try to secure a well fought Clifton victory.

Roger Opie

CLEVE 2nds 48 – 26 MISFITS

Clifton Misfits made the Friday evening trip to the Hayfields to take on Cleve 2nds in Counties South, fully aware that a strong home side and a partisan crowd under the lights would provide a stern test despite their own impressive recent form.

Head Coach Mark Nichols was able to retain much of the side that delivered an emphatic victory over Aretians the previous week. There were welcome returns for prop Harry Redfern and centre Joe Glynne, while captain Michael Wyatt resumed duties at full-back. Hooker Jack Kember was named among the replacements.

Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was impeccably observed in memory of Clifton Director of Rugby Matt Salter.

Cleve struck early, applying sustained pressure to cross out wide inside four minutes. However, the visitors responded immediately. No.8 Ravi Gedara powered over from close range following a well-constructed passage of play, with Jake Wakeling adding the extras to level the scores.

Momentum swung Clifton’s way soon after, as scrum-half Will Abel showcased quick feet to dance through for a second try, again converted by Wakeling to give the Misfits a 14–7 advantage.
The remainder of the half became a tight arm wrestle, with Cleve narrowing the deficit on the half-hour mark, leaving Clifton holding a slender 14–12 lead at the interval.

The hosts emerged strongly after the break, reclaiming the lead with an early second-half try. Clifton responded through winger Isaac Simmonds, who finished sharply in the corner to edge his side back in front. That advantage proved short-lived, as Cleve entered a dominant period, regaining control with a converted score before extending their lead further as the half progressed.

A charged-down kick allowed Cleve to stretch clear, and a succession of late tries put the result beyond doubt as the home side capitalised on their momentum.

Despite the scoreline, Clifton continued to fight, and Simmonds grabbed his second of the evening—converted by Wakeling—to secure a valuable try bonus point in the closing stages.

Cleve had the final say with a late converted try, sealing a 48–26 victory.

While the result was a tough one for the Misfits to take, the bonus point could yet prove significant as they maintain fourth place in the table, sitting nine points clear of the chasing pack.

There were a number of strong individual performances from Clifton, with Will Abel and Harry Redfern particularly influential around the park, well supported by Ravi Gedara and fellow prop Ross Rochelle.

The Thatcher’s Man of the Match award, however, went to second row Christiaan Barnard, whose tireless work in the tight exchanges and powerful carrying consistently tested the Cleve defence.

Clifton would also like to extend their sincere thanks to Cleve for accommodating the fixture on a Friday evening, allowing players and staff the opportunity to take part in tributes to Matt Salter the following day.

Next week sees the Misfits host local rivals St Brendan's back at Station Rd in the second thrilling installment of the 'Battle of Henbury'.

Tries:
Simmonds (2), Gedara, Abel
Cons:
Wakeling (3)

Photographs by Ian Clark