The Kentish men deserved this victory, with their success based on a strong pack which had the edge for much of the game, some adventurous attacks with safe handling and speed in the outside channels.

Although Clifton will rue their high unforced error count they had their moments especially in the final quarter, with forceful running from centre Will Owen and the pack driven by Ricky Cano, Brad Talbot and number eight Harry Hone who received the Clifton Sausage Man of the Match award. Full back Harry Johnson was once again secure under the high ball and with his line kicking.

The TJs, facing a high wind, began the afternoon with some high tempo attacks and after a few phases winger Curtis Barnes sped away from the home defence to cross. Shouts of “forward pass” from the home crowd were not heeded by the referee. Scrum half Conor Lloyd converted this effort and went on to convert all four tries, as well as being the fulcrum for his team throughout the game.

Tom Kendrick cut through to extend the lead, before Clifton replied with pressure on the Tonbridge line to send Hone crashing over with Ollie Millner converting. Before the interval a catch and drive was taken over the line by hooker Will Hollings to increase the gap for the visitors.

Hendick raced clear for his second, but the final score went to Clifton when Ollie Harris raced into the corner with time running out. This try came after some serious Clifton pressure on the TJ line with them incurring a red card for a dangerously high tackle on Tom Quinlan as he was attempting to weave his way to the line. Some of Clifton’s best moments came in the final fifteen minutes when they showed some of the form from recent fixtures.

Roger Opie

WANDERERS 40-24 OLD REDS 2nd XV

Clifton Wanderers edged a wild, momentum-swinging derby to see off Old Redcliffians 2nd XV 40–24, thanks to a late surge inspired by scrum-half Max McCarthy, whose brace in the final minutes sealed both the win and a deserved Man of the Match award.

The Wanderers burst out of the blocks, striking after just eight minutes. Armani Symonds powered over from close range, with Harry Delaney adding the extras to make it 7-0. Old Reds replied swiftly with an unconverted try on 11 minutes, but the hosts held firm through a spell of ill discipline that saw Will Joyce shown a yellow on 23 minutes.

Despite being a man down, the Wanderers regained control. On 30 minutes Jacob Head finished strongly for their second try, again converted by Delaney for 14-5. The home pressure continued and Conor Thomas capped a vibrant half with a well-taken score on 36 minutes, giving the Wanderers a healthy 19-5 lead at the break.

Half-time brought a change, Mike Wyatt replacing Tom Hargan, and it wasn’t long before the Wanderers struck again. Three minutes into the second period Beno Edwards crashed over, Delaney maintaining his flawless kicking for a 26-5 advantage.

Old Reds, however, refused to fold. A converted score on 53 minutes gave them a foothold, and after Jacob Head made way for Alex Andrews on the hour, the visitors mounted a fierce comeback. A try on 70 minutes, quickly converted, cut the gap to 26-19. With momentum swinging, the Wanderers shuffled the pack - Hargan returned for Wyatt, and Cian Lightburn replaced Ollie Spragg - but Old Reds continued their surge, grabbing another try on 72 minutes to narrow the score to 26-24.

With the game in the balance and nerves jangling, it was McCarthy who seized control. The No. 9 sparked the decisive break on 78 minutes, darting through a fractured defence to score under the posts. Delaney converted, stretching the lead to 33-24. Moments later, deep into added time, McCarthy struck again - this time finishing his own kick and chase to put the result beyond doubt. Delaney’s fifth successful conversion closed the match at 40-24.

A late scare aside, the Wanderers showed resilience, sharp finishing and composure when it counted. McCarthy’s late flurry ensured the derby spoils stayed at home, boosting the Wanderers to 3rd place in the league and keeping the momentum rolling into next week with another tough fixture away to Gordano.

Photographs by Ian Clark