Clifton recorded their fifth successive victory and, once again, took maximum points from a game to maintain their second place in the league table alongside Taunton in the pursuit of table-topping Camborne.

Having established a twelve-point lead over the students the referee dispatched two Clifton players to the sin bin in quick succession leaving them with thirteen players for a period on either side of the interval. Their superior numbers created spaces for the home team to get back in the game and take the lead. However, Clifton’s greater experience and game management skills were critical in achieving the final result.

Clifton were forced into further re-grouping in the second half when one of the yellows was upgraded to a red card with a further yellow awarded in the final quarter to again reduce them to thirteen players. This created a tense final part of the action with Clifton showing control and determination to hold on.

Early probing by both teams saw the students take the lead with a converted try before Freddie Myatt broke through to enable Zak Hamid to skip through the defence. Henry Harper, returning from absence from concussion, replaced the injured Shay Sainsbury. Some good play and a rolling maul sent hooker Tom Anderson over with Tom Quinlan landing the first of four successful conversions against his former university.

The Clifton pack were getting on top and following a dominant period Brad Talbot, another returning stalwart, scored to create a twelve-point lead. The university men took advantage of the space available through superior numbers and ran in two tries and opened up a two-point lead.

Back to full strength the lavender and black pack pushed Loughborough off their own ball and the ball was released for centre Will Owen to force his way over the white paste to re-establish the lead. Again reduced numbers allowed Loughborough to catch up and bring the scores level.

The final critical score was touched down by prop Ricky Cano crashing over; the thirteen players did well to withstand an extremely tense final few minutes.

Story: Roger Opie

Clifton Wanderers 21 - 6 Bridgwater & Albion 1st XV

Clifton Wanderers continued their strong form with a clinical 21-6 victory over Bridgwater & Albion 1st XV at College Way. The wet conditions led to plenty of loose balls and scrappy play, but the Wanderers capitalized on key moments to secure a convincing win.

The Wanderers got off to a flying start with an early score from Sam Pine, who finished off a slick first-phase move straight from a midfield scrum in just the second minute. Ollie Millner added the extras to put the visitors ahead 7-0.

Bridgwater & Albion struggled to gain momentum in the soggy conditions, while the Wanderers' disciplined defense stifled their attack. On the 18-minute mark, Jack Bowyer extended the lead with a try that showcased excellent support play. After a midfield line break, Bowyer was perfectly positioned to take the offload and dive under the posts. Millner once again slotted the conversion, making it 14-0.

The hosts managed to claw back three points with a penalty just before halftime, leaving the score 14-3 at the break.

The second half saw Andy Chapman and Alex Baker introduced to freshen up the Wanderers' forward pack. Bridgwater added another penalty shortly after the restart, narrowing the deficit to 14-6. However, that was as close as they would get.

In the 50th minute, a moment of brilliance from winger Jason Grinstead sealed the win for the Wanderers. Amid a chaotic passage of play with both teams struggling to control the slippery ball, Grinstead picked up cleanly and powered over the line. Millner maintained his 100% kicking record, converting to stretch the lead to 21-6.

The game’s standout moment came courtesy of heavyweight second-row Dan Hodge, who electrified the crowd with a barnstorming 60-meter run in the second half. Unfortunately, he ran out of steam just 10 meters short of the try line, but it was a memorable effort nonetheless.

The final whistle confirmed a well-earned win for the Wanderers, with their clinical finishing and defensive resilience proving decisive in difficult conditions.

Thatchers man of the match went to back-rower Chris McCann who played a pivotal role, shoring up messy play with strong midfield carries time and time again.

Misfits 17 - 62 Barton Hill 1s

With another mixed squad the Misfits looked to take on top of the table, Barton Hill 1s, at Station Road. The match saw both teams contend fiercely, but Barton Hill’s superior forward dominance and clinical tries ultimately proved too much for the Misfits.

The match began with an early flourish from Barton Hill. After just 8 minutes, they scored the opening try, converted to give them a 7-0 lead. Clifton responded quickly, and by the 11th minute, they narrowed the gap to just two points when winger Adam Walters crossed for a try, making it 5-7.

However, Barton Hill quickly regained control. In the 18th minute, they crossed the line again, followed by another try in the 27th minute. With the hosts struggling to cope with the physicality of the visitors, Barton Hill capitalised, adding a fourth try just before halftime to stretch their lead to 24-5.

The second half began with a yellow card for Barton Hill in the 43rd minute, which gave Clifton a slight glimmer of hope. However, Barton Hill extended their lead with an early try in the 49th minute, making it 29-5. The Misfits did respond through a determined try by second-row George Marron in the 52nd minute, closing the gap to 10-29, but it was short-lived as Barton Hill powered on.

Barton Hill continued to score, adding tries in the 55th, 60th, and 62nd minutes, taking their lead 48-10.

Barton Hill wasn’t done yet. After a yellow card in the 68th minute, they added another converted try in the 69th minute to further extend their lead to 62-10.

In the dying moments of the game, Clifton showed some real heart, with centre Oscar Webb crossing for a late consolation try in the 71st minute, converted by Will Lang, to bring the final score to 17-62.

Clifton took great stock in some of their passages of play with the ball and the grit showed by a scratch side still seeking to match its true potential.
In the end, Barton Hill’s dominance was evident, with their superior forward power, and clinical finishing securing a well-earned victory.
The Misfits will look to regroup and take on Whitehall in the next league game, focusing on discipline and consistency, while Barton Hill will be pleased with their promotion-seeking performance.

Tries:
A Walters
G Marron
O Webb
Cons:
W Lang