Perfect conditions for running rugby set the scene for a high-tempo 16-try fest.
The students trailed Clifton by only four points at the interval, but the home pack proved too strong in the second half to restrict their visitors to one score.

A storming start by the home side saw Freddie Myatt charging down a clearance to give star man Will Owen his first try. This was quickly followed by Matty Smith speeding into the corner, with Tom Quinlan converting from the touchline to add to his previous effort.
Loughborough hit back quickly with a clean break, sending in Tom Rowe for the first of his four before Owen ran through a gap in the defence for his second. Rowe crossed again to close the gap, but the stronger Clifton scrum was dominating, and Niall Gibbons picked up to stride over.

Hadyn Rees kept his team in contention aided by a further Rowe score.

A flowing move sent Clifton’s Zak Hamid in, with Rowe’s fourth creating a further cut in the home lead, leaving a half-time score of Clifton 33, Loughborough 29.

Clifton dominated the second half, with forward strength initiating tries for Shay Sainsbury to touch down on his fiftieth cap, followed by tries from Zak Hamid and George Davey.
A move initiated by a long Matty Smith run from his own line sent Luke Daniels over before Mitch Spencer completed matters with the tenth Clifton try against a solitary student try from Tom Dye.

Roger Opie

WANDERERS 33 - 26 BRIDGWATER & ALBION

Following a defeat for league leaders Cleve last week tightening the title race, this was a crucial fixture for the Wanderers, who entered the match six points adrift at the top with a game in hand. Despite a depleted squad, they faced a Bridgwater & Albion side brimming with confidence after toppling the league leaders last week.

From the outset, the Wanderers showed intent, taking the lead in the 7th minute when scrum-half Jack Bowyer finished off a superb break down the left flank, Harry Delaney adding the extras. The momentum stayed with the hosts, as captain Henry Harper powered over on 25 minutes before Bowyer grabbed his second try just five minutes later, both converted by Delaney to establish a commanding 21-0 lead.

Bridgwater responded quickly, pulling one back on 32 minutes, but the missed conversion kept the gap substantial. A blow for the Wanderers came just before half-time when Tom Doherty was forced off with an injury, replaced by Mike Wyatt.

The second half began with another dominant maul from the Wanderers pack, a pinpoint lineout take by Dan Hodge setting up Harper for his second try of the afternoon. Though the conversion was missed, a 26-5 lead looked comfortable.

Bridgwater, however, was far from finished. A converted try on 48 minutes signalled their intent, and when they struck again at 62 minutes, cutting the deficit to just seven points, nerves began to creep in for the hosts.

A crucial moment came three minutes later when Ed Grinsted forced his way over from close range following sustained pressure on the opposition tryline, with Bowyer stepping up to slot the conversion for a 33-19 advantage.

Bridgwater ensured a tense finish with another try on 70 minutes, but a missed conversion meant the Wanderers held on for a hard-fought 33-26 victory.

A vital win in their title push, particularly given their squad limitations on the day. With two games remaining and an easier run-in, the Wanderers remain firmly in the hunt for the league title.

Photographs by Ian Clark