On a sun-drenched afternoon at Brickfields, Clifton were given the toughest of National One lessons by a rampant Plymouth Albion, who ran in ten tries to secure a commanding 62–5 victory.

First Half

Clifton began brightly enough, pushing for territory and enjoying early possession. But Albion’s power and precision soon told. Joel Broadhurst opened the scoring on nine minutes, and within a quarter of an hour Harry Wilkinson and Archie Hill had crossed, with Francisco “Frankie” Dart immaculate from the tee. At 21–0 the Lavender and Black were already under severe pressure.

To their credit, Clifton rallied with a sustained spell in the Albion 22. The pack scrummaged manfully and the backs probed for openings, only for Albion’s defence to hold firm. A penalty try awarded to the home side on 35 minutes rubbed salt into the wound, and moments later Oscar Stewart’s individual brilliance produced a fourth try. Albion led 35–0 at the break, a mountain for Clifton to climb.

Second Half

If the first half was about survival, the second was about pride. Straight from the restart, Clifton produced their best moment of the afternoon. The forwards mauled with control and determination, and Matthew Smith applied the finishing touch in the corner. Replacement fly-half Tom Quinlan was unable to add the extras, but the visitors had at least stamped their mark on the game.

Albion, though, were relentless. Wilkinson powered over for his second, Dart added a try of his own, before Shea Cornish and replacement hooker Gabe Mead crossed twice late on. Dart finished with 7 conversions from 10 attempts.

Discipline & Effort

The contest was not without further challenges for Clifton. Yellow cards for Harry Hone and Jay Evans in the first half reduced the side to 13 men at a crucial stage, and George Davey saw another late in the game. Yet, despite the setbacks, the visitors never threw in the towel, continuing to compete at the breakdown and throwing bodies into the tackle.

Reflection

The final whistle confirmed a sobering 62–5 defeat, but also underlined the gulf in experience at this level. Albion, seasoned campaigners with Premiership ambition, were ruthless in punishing errors. Clifton, new to National One after nearly three decades, will take heart from their solitary score and from periods of resilience in the face of overwhelming pressure.

There will be easier afternoons ahead, and lessons aplenty from this baptism at Brickfields. The journey in National One has only just begun, and Clifton will write brighter chapters yet.

WANDERER'S 15 – 25 NAILSEA & BACKWELL 1st XV

The Wanderers slipped to a hard-fought 15–25 defeat against a well-drilled Nailsea & Backwell side in Saturday’s encounter.

The visitors struck first, crossing the whitewash inside ten minutes before Wanderers fly-half Harry Delaney responded quickly from the tee with a well-struck penalty. Nailsea, however, continued to press and added two further tries before the half-hour mark, stretching the Wanderers’ defence wide and capitalising on turnover ball. A penalty on the stroke of half-time left the hosts facing an uphill battle, going into the break 3–20 down.

The second half saw the Wanderers ring the changes, with Matt Kilbane, Harry Leigh, and Archie Bent all introduced. The fresh legs added impetus, and the Wanderers finally found reward on the hour. After sustained pressure, flanker Jack Churchill forced his way over the line, with Delaney adding the extras to close the gap.

Nailsea struck back with another try ten minutes later, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. But the Wanderers showed real spirit in the closing stages, and prop Ben Ling capped his debut with a late try to ensure the scoreboard better reflected their efforts.

Despite the defeat, the Wanderers had positives to take, not least the tireless work of centre (turned flanker) Ciaran Leeson, who was deservedly named man of the match for his physical additions both sides of the ball.

Scorers (the Wanderers):
Tries – Churchill, Ling
Conversions – Delaney (1)
Penalty – Delaney (1)

MISFITS XV 57–7 BAC 1st XV

Clifton Misfits XV marked their first home fixture of the new season with an emphatic 57–7 victory over old rivals Bristol Aero Company in the fiery local derby dubbed the 'Battle of Filton'.

With five players making their league debuts and several regulars promoted to the 2nd XV, this was a new-look Misfits side. Veteran back rower Graham Hardy led the team out in the absence of last week's captain Archie Bent, and his leadership laid the foundations for a dominant display.

BAC made the brighter start, pinning Clifton deep in their 22 during the opening phases. However, the hosts remained composed and disciplined without the ball, soaking up the pressure with patience.

The breakthrough came on 16 minutes, as debutant full-back Aaron Esiri showed a glimpse of things to come, finishing out wide after a sweeping move. Fly-half Jake Wakeling added the extras to give Clifton a 7–0 lead.

Clifton’s backline soon shifted into gear, showcasing sharp hands and pace. Winger Cam Silverthorne crossed on 31 minutes after a slick interchange, before new centre Ollie Spragg powered over just before the break, with Wakeling again on target. Clifton went into the interval 19–0 to the good.

The second half saw the Misfits shift up another level. Within five minutes, centre Joe Glynn burst through the midfield for a converted score, swiftly followed by impressive second row debutant Sion Johnson, who finished a rampaging run under the posts. Wakeling continued his food form from the tee, pushing the lead to 33–0.

New scrum-half Fin Fielder impressed throughout, dictating the tempo, and was rewarded with a try on the hour mark, capping a superb team move.
Esiri claimed his second just two minutes later as BAC’s defence began to unravel. Wakeling kept the scoreboard ticking, bringing the score to 47–0.

The debutants continued to shine, with replacement winger Will Reid scoring on 67 minutes before Esiri completed a memorable hat-trick with a brilliant solo effort in the 70th minute, stretching the margin to 57–0.

BAC rallied late on and were rewarded for their persistence, scoring a converted try in the closing stages following a rare lapse in Clifton’s discipline.

Final score:
Clifton Misfits XV 57–7 BAC 1st XV

A long-awaited comprehensive victory, featuring nine tries and six conversions, lifts Clifton to 5th in the league after Game Week 2 and secures a crucial bonus point.

The Thatcher’s Cider Man of the Match award went predictably to Aaron Esiri after a sensational debut, scoring a hat-trick and offering a constant attacking threat from full-back.

Honourable mentions go to debutants Sion Johnson and Fin Fielder for their commanding performances, as well as Will Law for his tireless work around the park.

With a break in league fixtures next week, the Misfits turn their attention to a friendly encounter against Old Elizabethans at Station Road.

Clifton Tries:
Esiri (3), Silverthorne, Spragg, Glynn, Johnson, Fielder, Reid

Conversions: Wakeling (6)

Photographs by Ian Clark