Clifton travelled to Hertfordshire buoyed by the welcome returns of Jay Evans and Tom Quinlan from concussion protocols, Will Owen from injury and Ollie Harris following Bristol Bears commitments.

On a firm surface and in front of a crowd of 419, the contest opened evenly. The hosts edged ahead through an early penalty before Clifton struck decisively. From sustained pressure and controlled possession, Will Owen marked his return in the nineteenth minute, crossing confidently to put the visitors 5–3 ahead. The conversion drifted wide, but Clifton deserved their slender interval advantage of two points.

The third quarter proved pivotal and, for a time, richly rewarding for the Lavender and Blacks. Bishop’s Stortford briefly regained the lead early in the second half, but Clifton responded impressively. First, sharp handling and purposeful running created space for Ollie Harris to finish well out wide on 45 minutes. James McKinney added the conversion to restore the advantage.

Five minutes later it was fellow winger Zak Hamid who increased the Clifton lead. A deft chip ahead, perfectly weighted, exposed the defensive line and the winger’s pace carried him under the posts. McKinney converted to extend Clifton’s lead to 19–8 with half an hour remaining.

At that stage the visitors looked composed and in control. However, momentum shifted abruptly. Bishop’s Stortford responded with conviction, their pack beginning to exert greater influence at set-piece and close quarters. A converted try narrowed the margin before a sustained spell of territorial dominance brought further rewards.

From the 53rd minute onwards the home side accumulated 26 unanswered points, their pack influential in gaining territory and creating opportunities, with accurate goal-kicking ensuring the scoreboard pressure steadily mounted. Clifton’s resistance was wholehearted but, as in recent away fixtures, the initiative slipped at a critical juncture.

The final whistle confirmed a 34–19 defeat, a result that will feel frustrating given the commanding position established midway through the second half.

There were clear positives in attacking fluency and the impact of returning players, yet maintaining intensity for the full eighty minutes remains the pressing objective.

Attention now turns to the return to Station Road and the visit of Leicester Lions, before the eagerly anticipated local encounter with Dings Crusaders in March. Sustained consistency will be essential if Clifton are to convert promising passages into tangible reward.

Roger Opie

Photographs by Ian Clark