This bruising and pulsating encounter provided high drama to the very end, with a penalty try awarded to the visitors in the closing stages to give them the lead, and seemingly the crucial points in this league’s relegation zone contest.

However, with the clock heading toward full time it was Clifton lock Jack Bennett, who secured the ball around the halfway line to show agility and power to storm through a startled Birmingham Moseley defence to touch down under the posts, with Tom Quinlan adding the conversion to complete a 100 per cent faultless kicking performance. This final score demonstrated the squad’s team spirit and resolve in restoring the lead with little time left for their stunned opponents to fight back.

Quinlan and half back partner Mitch Spencer provided stability and direction to their team. Once Clifton realised their three-quarter line had the edge in pace in the wider channels the game became competitive. The fine weather and firm pitch with little wind had set the stage for a fast and open game.

In the early stages, which were punctuated by lengthy injury breaks with the lavender and blacks losing both key players full back Harry Johnson and strong prop Armani Symonds to injuries. The Midlanders showed initial power and dominance in the tight exchanges. Austin Nevitt and Travis Bennett-Allcock were the scoring beneficiaries, with Jack Jolly adding a conversion.

Clifton’s speed of play gave winger Zak Hamid, on his 100th appearance, the space to run a fine line from the touch line to go under the posts. A Moseley attack then broke down in the Clifton 22 area, and the home team took the opportunity with replacement Max McCarthy hacking the ball down field and feeding the speedy Ollie Harris to score.

The Clifton pack was now matching the heavier Moseley eight and, at times, proving the superior force with the back line enjoying valuable possession to pose threats.

A barging effort by Brad Tabot increased the lead further. Another Hamid cameo added to the total. Further tries by hooker Ben Pogson and Allcock kept the contest alive, but ultimately a typical opportunist Mitch Spencer chance to glide in and the Bennett try ended the action, with their team taking five precious points from a position where defeat was looking a likely outcome.

The outcome of the final round of matches will determine which team will go up and who returns to the regional leagues in September.

Roger Opie

WANDERERS 41 - 21 CHARD

On a bright, sunlit afternoon that perfectly suited open, attacking rugby, Clifton II produced a strong away performance to overcome Chard in an entertaining, high-scoring contest.

Clifton started sharply from the kickoff and wasted little time asserting themselves. Harry Leigh opened the scoring early on, crossing in the corner to give the visitors a 5–0 lead. The momentum stayed with Clifton, and Tom Hargen soon added a second try, with Harry Delaney converting to extend the advantage to 12–0.

The visitors continued to play with pace and confidence, moving the ball well in the wide channels. Jack Perrins finished off another slick passage of play to push the score to 17–0, before Harry Leigh grabbed his second try of the afternoon, stretching the lead further to 22–0 inside the opening half hour.

Chard, however, refused to let the game slip away. Backed by their home support, they responded strongly before the break, scoring two converted tries in quick succession to narrow the deficit to 22–14 at halftime and set up a competitive second half.

The hosts carried that momentum into the restart and struck again with another converted try, bringing the score to a tense 22–21 and putting Clifton under real pressure for the first time in the match.

Clifton regrouped well and began to reassert control as the game entered its final quarter. Will Joyce crossed the line for a crucial try, with Delaney adding the extras to give Clifton some breathing space at 29–21.

With the game still in the balance, Harry Leigh completed an outstanding individual performance by securing his hat-trick, again converted by Delaney, effectively sealing the result at 36–21. Jack Perrins then added his second try in the closing moments to round off the scoring at 41–21.

It was a strong all-round performance from Clifton II, combining clinical finishing with resilience when Chard threatened a comeback. Harry Leigh was deservedly named Man of the Match for his hat-trick and overall impact in a fast-paced, free-flowing game.

MISFITS 35 - 34 CHIPPING SODBURY 1st XV

An extraordinary contest unfolded at The Ridings in the penultimate round of the Counties 4 campaign, as third-placed Chipping Sodbury hosted a Misfits side already assured of a top-four finish. With Sodbury chasing maximum points to keep alive their hopes of overhauling Yate in second, and the visitors free to play with attacking intent, the stage was set for a compelling encounter. What followed more than justified that billing.

Despite disruptions to selection, Head Coach Mark Nichols welcomed back experienced front-rowers Harry Redfern and Alex Andrews, while Erin Wooster, Oscar Webb, and a trio of promising Colts bolstered the squad. The Misfits arrived with quiet confidence but full awareness of the challenge posed by a motivated home side.

It was the visitors who struck first. After eight minutes, scrum-half Cian Lightburn capped a fluid attacking move, with fly-half Lewis Wakefield adding the extras to silence the home support. The Misfits’ backline continued to probe effectively, and on 13 minutes centre Corey Kislingbury finished another incisive attack, Wakefield again converting to extend the lead to 14–0.

Chipping Sodbury responded with urgency. A well-executed kick to the corner yielded their opening try, and sustained pressure soon brought a second, narrowing the deficit to 14–12. The momentum had shifted, but the Misfits regained their composure. On 26 minutes, Alex Andrews powered over to complete a sweeping move, Wakefield maintaining his flawless record from the tee.

The hosts, however, remained clinical. A well-worked try under the posts just before the break, followed by a yellow card against Sodbury for repeated infringements, left the visitors narrowly ahead at half-time, 21–19.

The second half began with renewed intensity from the home side. Within five minutes of the restart, Sodbury crossed again and converted to take the lead for the first time. A penalty on the hour mark extended their advantage to 29–21, leaving the Misfits with a significant deficit to overcome entering the final quarter.

What followed was a gripping arm-wrestle. The Misfits continued to press, and on 70 minutes Wakefield himself broke through the defensive line to score, converting his own try to bring the visitors within a single point. Yet Sodbury responded almost immediately, crossing out wide with seven minutes remaining to seemingly secure victory at 34–28.

The Misfits, however, refused to yield. Dominating possession in the closing stages, they applied relentless pressure, turning down opportunities until the decisive moment arrived. With 4minutes left on the clock, full-back Jake Wakeling finished a sweeping move under the posts, before Wakefield calmly slotted his fifth conversion from five attempts to edge his side ahead.

With composure under pressure, the Misfits managed the final minutes intelligently. Awarded a penalty advantage as time expired, captain Harry Heskin brought proceedings to a close by dispatching the ball into touch, sealing a remarkable 35–34 victory and securing an impressive and hard fought 5 points.

While the result had no bearing on league positions, it was a performance of real substance against a side with higher-division pedigree. Wakefield’s control at fly-half and perfect goal-kicking proved decisive, while Oscar Webb delivered a standout display in the back row, earning the Thatcher’s Man of the Match award for his tireless defensive work and impactful carrying.

The Misfits’ momentum shows no sign of slowing. Having now claimed victories over both second and third-placed sides since Christmas, they head into the final weekend brimming with confidence as they prepare to host division champions Frampton Cotterell 2nds at Station Road.

Tries: Lightburn, Kislingbury, Andrews, Wakefield, Wakeling
Conversions: Wakefield (5)

Photographs by Ian Clark