Clifton’s ninth successive win came as a result of their strong resolve and inner confidence to turn a game around after trailing by twelve points just before half time.

However, after thirty minutes, they held the upper hand in spite of a strong Luctonian defence. The early dominance of the visitor’s pack was successfully thwarted with scrum-half Mitch Spencer orchestrating swift changes of direction in attack, combined with good ball retention and spreading the attack lines across the pitch.

As the game progressed Clifton removed the advantage their opponents held at the beginning of the encounter with momentum shifting in their favour.
Persistent attacking incursions into the well-drilled Luctonian defence, and superior fitness eventually brought results and wore down the visitors.
Centre Will Owen spearheaded attacks, with the home pack increasingly gaining the upper hand in lineouts and scrums.

The pack gave one of the best showings of the season with prop Ricky Cano awarded the Clifton Sausage Man of The Match award.

Early on a scrum penalty gave Lucs an attacking position to eventually send hooker Ben Luck over. With their pack causing problems and gaining territory space was found for full back Josh Watkins to score and Jack Park converting.

Clifton began to counterattack with powerful bursts to test the defence and change the course of the game. Before the interval flanker Jay Evans and winger Zak Hamid created a try for the back row man. Immediately after the re-start a poor Lucs clearance kick gifted possession away and saw the game’s best moment, when a fifty-metre move across the pitch featured interplay between Hamid and co-winger Kilbane to send centre Matty Smith into the corner.

A tiring defence coughed up two penalties, kicked by Ollie Milner, to see Clifton home for a deserved victory and consolidate second place in the league. A hard won scrum penalty denied the visitors an opportunity to come back in the final play.

Story: Roger Opie

Clifton Wanderers 43 - 17 Nailsea & Backwell 1st XV

Clifton Wanderers produced a commanding display to defeat Nailsea & Backwell 43-17 at home, overcoming a slow start and resulting early deficit with a blend of attacking flair and forward dominance.

Nailsea started brightly, scoring a converted try in the second minute from a well-executed move off a scrum 30 meters out. However, the Wanderers responded quickly as Jason Grinstead danced over on the left wing to make it 5-7.

Nailsea regained their lead in the 9th minute, exploiting an overlap to score from a ruck 30m out from the Wanderers' line. Clifton hit back in the 14th minute through Chris McCann, who powered over following excellent groundwork by Henry Harper, with Jack Bowyer adding the conversion to level the scores at 12-12.

The momentum swung decisively in Clifton’s favour after Nailsea’s number 4 was yellow-carded for persistent infringements. Jamel Hamilton crossed the line in the 25th minute to give the Wanderers their first lead, and Grinstead added his second try shortly after as he finished off a scintillating long-range break by McCann from inside Clifton’s half. Tom Hatch finished the half with a try from the back of a well-drilled lineout maul to give the hosts a commanding 31-12 halftime lead.

The second half saw Nailsea attempt a comeback, capitalising on a yellow card to Henry Harper in the 55th minute to score and reduce the deficit to 31-17. However, Clifton’s defence held firm, and their attacking pressure soon paid dividends.

Chris McCann, now operating in the backline, stormed over for his second try of the match in the 65th minute. Nailsea’s frustrations culminated in a yellow card for their number 10 in the closing minutes, and the Wanderers took advantage, with Blake Boyland diving over from close range to cap off a dominant performance with a final score of 43-17.

Old Bristolians 31 - 21 Clifton Misits

The Misfits travelled to local rivals Old Bristolians 2nds, who have been in strong form in Counties 3 this season. Clifton were buoyed by the return of veteran back rower Graham Hardy, as well as Misfits regular Ben Lang in the second row alongside talented youngster Dylan Ormsby.
Jordan Pardington also made his debut at outside centre.

The game began with Old Bristolians making an early statement taking a swift 5-0 lead.

A second try for Old Bristolians, which was successfully converted, pushed their lead to 12-0.

Clifton's Dylan Ormsby was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, further impacting the visitors momentum.

Old Bristolians quickly capitalised on the extra man, scoring another converted try to extend their lead to 19-0.

However, with a man down the Misfits rallied and began to show more resilience. The Lavender & Blacks struck back with a well-crafted try. Full-back Jordan Davies created the space and winger Adam Walters finished it out wide. Fly-half Will Lang then nailed a spectacular improvised drop goal for the conversion, bringing the score to 19-7.

Another try for Clifton, for fly-half Will Lang with an impressive ball carry to score, which he converted himself.

A yellow card for Ross Rochelle for side entry at a ruck left Clifton with 14 men again, and Old Bristolians took advantage just before half-time with another try.

Half-time: Old Bristolians 24-14 Clifton

The second half was a more evenly contested affair, with the conditions turning increasingly challenging as the pitch became a mud bath.

Despite both sides failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities, Clifton remained competitive.

Adam Walters seized on a fumble by Old Bristolians, pouncing on the loose ball and scoring under the posts. Lang added the conversion, making it very close at 24-21.
The next 30 minutes were an arm wrestle, with neither side able to break through, although Clifton continued to press.

Old Bristolians broke the deadlock though with 10 minutes to go to push their lead to 31-21.

Clifton turned down the chance for a losing bonus point penalty kick, instead opting to go for the corner and the potential of 2 bonus points if they could snatch a fourth try, but sadly could not finish the opportunities.

Full-time: Old Bristolians 31-21 Clifton

In the end, Old Bristolians took the spoils, but Clifton could take heart from their performance.
The Misfits have shown their competitive fighting spirit against both first and second-team opponents in their last two fixtures. The bench also contributed hugely with second-row Erin Wooster and winger Charlie Collar making a significant impact in the second half.

Thatchers Man of the Match: Adam Walters, for his strong defensive work and his well-taken brace of tries.

Next week the Misfits host the other half of the Failand based clubs when Cotham Park 1s come to Station Road.

Tries:
Walters (2)
W Lang

Cons:
Lang (3)

Photographs by Ian Clark