These sides last met in 1974 in the John Player national knockout cup, when Sale had England internationals and a British Lion in their ranks. Over fifty years on some of us recall that conditions were atrocious with little decent rugby being possible, and the game was settled on penalties 3-6 in favour of Sale. Some players from that era, including captain Chris Jenkins and winger Keith Lowe, met Sale counterparts ahead of the kick off this time.

Clifton salvaged a losing bonus point this time around with the final play of the game, and will feel disappointment that they effectively lost the game through two unfortunate kicks giving Sale field position leading to two of their tries.

In spite of the strong wind the visitors did well to control their play with some good passing. At times the Clifton scrum had the upper hand, but Sale did secure more possession and territory.

Hooker Archie Longstaff crossed in the corner after a period of pressure to open their account. It was a misjudged Clifton clearance kick into the wind which gifted Sale field position, with a cross field move sending winger Mark Dixon over the line with Joe Green converting.

Just before half time an interception by Clifton centre Harry Johnson sent him on a fifty-metre dash to outstrip defenders and go under the posts for full back Quinlan to add the two points.

The Clifton three quarters did seek to make ground, with Dylan Power being awarded the Clifton Sausage Man of the Match award.

Sale were gaining too much possession and some quick play sent winger Nev Edwards in. A Quinlan penalty helped but ultimately fly half Ollie Davies gathered a further poor Clifton kick to touch down with Will Addison converting.

The score stood at 10-17 with Clifton pressing for a draw, but the Davies try meant realistically only a losing bonus was now possible and pressure was duly applied on the Sale line.

Right on full-time Harry Hone crashed over to give Clifton the bonus point as Quinlan landed the conversion

After their win at Sedgley Park the previous week Clifton will analyse some of their tactics in this game to secure and retain possession before their away match at basement club Leeds Tykes. They should be renewed in confidence knowing that a win over Sale was within their grasp.

Roger Opie

DINGS CRUSADERS II 40 – 20 WANDERERS

Wanderers went down 40–20 to Dings II in Bristol, with a howling gale influencing both halves and defensive lapses in the first period proving costly.

With the wind at their backs, Wanderers started brightly and took an early lead through a Will Joyce penalty. But a yellow card for Paris Thomas disrupted the defensive shape, and Dings capitalised ruthlessly. Repeated defensive errors in the wide areas allowed the hosts to break through and cross four times before the interval, taking a commanding 35–3 lead despite playing into the wind.

Facing into the gale in the second half, Wanderers regrouped impressively. The forwards began to win collisions, and the defensive line tightened considerably. Tries from Ciaran Leeson, Jacob Head, and Matt Dailly – converted by Joyce – reflected a far stronger, more disciplined second-half showing that Wanderers edged 17–5.

Dailly’s work rate and leadership earned him Man of the Match, closely followed by the dynamic Head. Debutants Junsei Yasuda and Ollie Spragg both played well.

Despite the result, the response after half-time showed real character and signs of a team beginning to gel.

YATE 1st XV 28 – 10 MISFITS

Clifton Misfits returned to action on Saturday as they made the journey to face a strong Yate 1st XV side in challenging conditions, with the remnants of Storm Amy still lingering. Following an impressive victory over BAC three weeks ago, availability issues and a growing injury list left coach Mark Nichols with only two players from that starting line-up available this weekend.

In response, Nichols handed debuts to six new players and welcomed back several familiar faces from last season. With no regular half-back pairing available, the versatile Mike Wyatt stepped into the scrum-half role and was also handed the captaincy, while young centre Cian Lightburn deputised at fly-half.

From the outset, Yate looked to take advantage of the wind at their backs, dominating territory in the early stages. Despite sustained pressure, Clifton’s defensive resilience frustrated the hosts, who eventually opted to take the points on offer with a penalty in the 13th minute.

Clifton responded brightly and made their first real incursion into Yate’s half shortly after. Following several phases of pick-and-go rugby, Alex Andrews powered over out wide to give the visitors a deserved lead 5-3.

Yate regained the advantage with an impressive long-range penalty on 29 minutes before finally breaking down the Misfits’ defence with a well-worked try and conversion on 35 minutes.

Another penalty for the home side followed after a period of Clifton ill-discipline, but just before the break Yate were reduced to 14 men after a high tackle saw the referee forced to go to his pocket for an inevitable yellow card.

Half-Time: Yate 16 – 5 Misfits

Trailing at the break but buoyed by the numerical advantage, the Misfits came out with renewed intent. Their efforts were rewarded on 45 minutes when debutant No.8 Matt Ng crashed over from close range following sustained pressure on the Yate try line to close the gap to 16-10.

However, as the second half wore on, injuries began to mount for the visitors and their momentum stalled. Yate capitalised swiftly, crossing the whitewash just two minutes later to reassert their lead.

Despite the Misfits' determined efforts, the experience and cohesion of the Yate 1st XV began to show. A final converted try in the 70th minute put the game beyond doubt.

Full-Time: Yate 28 – 10 Misfits

While the scoreline may not reflect the full story the game, this was a brave and spirited performance from a youthful and new-look Misfits side. The influx of fresh faces combined with the return of seasoned campaigners will give Clifton plenty to be optimistic about in the weeks ahead.

The Thatchers Cider Man of the Match went to Louis Birch, whose relentless ball carrying and defensive work proved a constant thorn in Yate’s side.

The Misfits return to Station Road next Saturday, where they will host local rivals Bishopston in what promises to be another fiercely contested encounter.

Photographs by Ian Clark