This match had a distinct pattern of scoring with the hosts getting away in the opening phases to score nineteen unanswered points. As the second half progressed it was Clifton when chasing the game who scored an identical tally with no response from the home team.

The strong wind blowing straight down the pitch was a factor throughout and in the opening quarter the TJs took full advantage of the wind and ran in three tries. The first came with a fine kick to the corner to create a catch and drive for Will Holling to touch down. Osgood and Barnes also crossed with Lloyd converting twice.

Clifton’s only score of the half was a try from flanker Feddie Myatt, but a further crossing gave the Kentish men a considerable half time lead 26-5, leaving Clifton requiring a huge effort in the second half - especially when an early second half try increased the deficit to a margin of twenty-eight points.

The lavender and blacks were frustrated when unable to capitalise on three scoring opportunities and found themselves at times unable to grasp and adjust to some of the referee’s interpretations at the breakdown.

However, with the wind behind them and the players gathering momentum a fight back was mounted and, although the gap proved too much to close, a try bonus point was achieved. With the fight for league survival likely to extend over the final two matches it could well mean that the solitary point might be a factor in determining which teams remain in National League One!

An energised Clifton unleashed replacement full back Chris Packer to go over, with winger Zak Hamid then adding to his season’s try count. It was lock forward Jack Bennett who stormed across the line to secure the bonus point with the fourth try, with Tom Quinlan landing two conversions.

Tempered with frustrations and disappointment there was more than sufficient pride, self belief, and determination in the ranks to remain fiercely competitive. Those qualities will surface again in next week’s home must win game against Birmingham Moseley, who sit just ahead of them in the table.

Roger Opie

WANDERERS 33 - 7 GORDANO

A strong defensive performance by the Wanderers saw them eventually run out a comfortable win against Gordano, despite a tight game.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Clifton started brightly, putting territory pressure on Gordano and offering threat in the wide channels, however strong competition from Gordano kept Clifton at bay, winning several turnovers from what looked like strong attacking positions.

Against the run of play, Gordano struck first with a length of the field interception try.

However, this was the last opportunity Clifton would give after a strong defensive display for the entire game – the Clifton back row in particular giving no quarter at the gainline.

A first-half try by Harry Delaney, coming off the shoulder of Matthew Smith saw the scores level.

With the wind in the 2nd half Clifton started to hit their straps with tries from Matthew Smith, an impressive double from Harry Leigh and a final by Jack Perrins, stretching the game beyond Gordano.

Wanderers MoM was Jake Buckley, the unsung hero of the day for Clifton. Faultless in the loose and dominant in the scrum, Jake’s 80-minute performance was the foundation of everything good that the Wanderers did on the pitch.

MISFITS 33 – 26 OLD BRISTOLIANS II

Clifton Misfits tightened their grip on a coveted top-four finish in Counties 4 South with a hard-fought 33–26 victory over Old Bristolians 2nds, securing a crucial try bonus point in the process.

Knowing that a five-point haul would all but cement fourth place, the Lavender and Blacks approached the contest with purpose, particularly against one of the few sides still capable of catching them. The reverse fixture in December had gone the way of Old Bristolians in a narrow 34–26 win, and this latest encounter proved just as competitive.

Clifton were boosted by the return of scrum-half Cian Lightburn, second rows Will Law and George Da Vall, and veteran No.8 Graham Hardy, while hooker Jack Kember shifted to loose-head prop in a reshuffled front row. A late injury to captain Michael Wyatt saw centre Harry Heskin assume leadership duties.

In blustery conditions, the opening exchanges were as unpredictable as the weather, with both sides struggling for fluency. It was Clifton who struck first after eight minutes when winger Hugo Plat capitalised on a loose pass to sprint 60 yards for the opening try, converted by Lewis Wakefield.

Old Bristolians responded in 17 minutes with a converted score of their own, and the pattern of the first half quickly became apparent. Heskin edged Clifton back in front with a well-taken try out wide, only for the visitors to reply once more. A further Clifton score from Will Law, following a sharp break from Lightburn, was again cancelled out before the interval, leaving the sides locked at 19–19 at half-time after an open, free-scoring half.

The visitors began the second period strongly, using the wind to pin Clifton deep in their own territory. Their pressure told five minutes after the restart with another converted try to take a 26–19 lead, as the Misfits struggled to exit their 22.

Clifton responded by emptying the bench, introducing Isaac Simmonds and Alfie Hobson, and the impact was immediate. With renewed energy, the hosts began to stretch the Old Bristolians defence, finding space through Heskin, Simmonds and Da Vall as the visitors started to tire.
The breakthrough came on 68 minutes when Simmonds produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving through multiple defenders to score beneath the posts. Wakefield’s conversion levelled the scores at 26–26 and secured the all-important bonus point.

Buoyed by that score, Clifton dominated the closing stages, applying sustained pressure deep in opposition territory. Their efforts were rewarded with just two minutes remaining when tight-head prop Christiaan Barnard powered over from close range after a series of forward drives. Wakefield added his fourth conversion to seal a 33–26 advantage.

Clifton managed the final moments with composure, closing out the game to secure a vital win that mathematically guarantees them fourth place in the league, with Old Bristolians and Dings Crusaders 3rds now unable to catch them.

It was a strong all-round performance from the Misfits, with Heskin and Simmonds particularly influential in the backline, while the forward pack asserted themselves in the second half. Flanker Ian Bentall, Kember and Barnard all made key contributions, but the standout performer was George Da Vall, whose work at the set-piece and around the field earned him the Thatcher’s Man of the Match award.

Clifton Misfits now turn their attention to their penultimate fixture away at Chipping Sodbury, as they look to finish the season strongly.

Tries: Plat, Heskin, Law, Simmonds, Barnard
Cons: Wakefield (4)

Photographs by Ian Clark