Clifton returned with maximum points from North Devon and are placed at the top of the league with thirty-five points alongside Redruth and Luctonians, with each team having won
seven out of eight games.

They also retain the John Budd Memorial Cup, with games involving these two teams played in memory of John Budd who served both clubs as a player and stalwart.

Barnstaple’s game was based much on their big forward pack, with catch and drives and pick and go routines to make ground. In contrast the quicker and sharper Clifton back
division, with slick handling when taking chances, proved a handful especially with their explosive back row forwards in loose play; they are a real force.

Centres, Clifton Sausage Man of the Match Harry Tovey and fellow centre Dylan Power, showed both pace and awareness given any opportunity, with arguably the two outstanding speedy wings in this league Ollie Harris and Zak Hamid capable of outstripping defences.
Sixteen points from fly half Tom Quinlan with a well taken try, four conversions and a decisive penalty were critical in the win.

Clifton will reflect on their discipline during the afternoon, receiving three yellow cards and having to play much of the third quarter with thirteen
players. While successfully managing tactics during that time their fast-flowing game was thwarted.

The opening quarter saw the hosts exert pressure on the Clifton line, but once the visiting back line saw more of the ball a nineteen-point lead was established. Quinlan’s try and
conversion were followed by all action hooker Ethan Allen and full back Christian Packer both touching down. A Barum try was countered by a score from dynamic flanker Niall Gibbons to open up a healthy half-time lead.

The second half saw a further try by the Devonians. Ollie Harris then sped through the
defence to add to the Clifton lead. Down to thirteen players, Clifton held on to keep their lead intact with only a penalty try conceded. A Quinlan penalty created breathing space.

With the last play of the game Barnstaple scored to gain a try bonus point to close the gap, but Clifton were now home and dry.

Roger Opie

GORDON LEAGUE 3 - 17 WANDERERS

Clifton earned a hard fought but ultimately well deserved win in a scrappy encounter against Gordon League.

Clifton started the first half well, applying pressure and territory, however a few early execution errors at key moments prevented them from converting it into points.

However, as Clifton settled into the game they found their groove and were rewarded as Beno Edwards opened the scoring after a strong maul from the forwards.

A few minutes later, the backs combined well, cuttting Gordon League in the wide channels with Harry Delaney finishing off a 50m team effort.

Unfortunately, Clifton’s progress was then hampered by a string of injuries to key players - notably to Josh Hays who was, up until the point he went down, the lead contender for man of the match with an all action performance. We wish him a speedy recovery from a horrible elbow injury.

Clifton went into the 2nd half 12-0 up, but with a lot of work to do playing up a steep hill with multiple players out of position.

After conceding an early penalty, Clifton again took control with strong tackling by Ed Grinsted consistently preventing Gordon League getting any momentum, and on his way to claiming the Man of the Match.

The game was still in the balance until a brilliant solo effort from Harry Heskin, who beat 3 players on his way to scoring from his own half.

Clifton then started the job of chasing an important bonus point. Unfortunately, with the win now out of reach the Gordon League players' interest in playing rugby diminished. And although like the first half, execution errors at key moments prevented Clifton from scoring, a young Wanderers squad deserve a huge amount of credit for keeping cool heads, not rising to the off ball antics and closing out the win without conceding a try.

Man of the Match Ed Grinsted

Try Scorers, Beno Edwards, Harry Delaney, Harry Heskin
Convertion, Harry Delaney

MISFITS 26-26 ST BRENDAN'S OLD BOYS

With both sides unexpectedly left without league fixtures after their scheduled opponents were unable to raise teams, Clifton Misfits and St Brendan’s Old Boys agreed to meet in a friendly at Portway Rugby Centre.

As ever, encounters between these two sides delivered plenty of drama, with an entertaining contest ending in a deserved 26-26 draw.

The Misfits welcomed back prop Ronnie Bucknell, veteran number eight Will Pomphrey and centre Corey Kislingbury, while prop Archie Millward and centre Ollie Shutt both made their Clifton debuts.

Clifton started brightly and took the lead after 14 minutes. Following sustained pressure close to the line, back-row forward Ged Roessink powered over from short range. Fly-half Lewis Wakefield added the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 advantage.

The Misfits doubled their lead six minutes later with a superb individual effort from full-back Finlay Deavin, who sliced through the St Brendan’s defence to score. Wakefield was again on target from the tee as Clifton opened up a commanding 14-0 lead.

The momentum shifted towards the end of the first half. Clifton found themselves reduced to 14 men on 28 minutes when centre Ian Bentall received a yellow card after repeated team infringements despite earlier warnings from the referee. St Brendan’s capitalised, scoring their opening try on 35 minutes before striking again just before half-time following a prolonged spell of pressure inside the Clifton 22. A second yellow card for Wakefield on 37 minutes further complicated matters for the visitors, taking them to 13 players on the field. The visitors held their nerve though and headed into the interval holding on to a slender 14-12 lead.

The home side carried that momentum into the second half, scoring a converted try just two minutes after the restart to edge ahead 19-14.

However, Clifton responded impressively. Substitute scrum-half Cian Lightburn made an immediate impact, finishing off a slick attacking move beneath the posts on 54 minutes. Wakefield converted to restore the Misfits' lead at 21-19.

The visitors extended their advantage midway through the half when lock Zaaf Ahmed crossed out wide after another well-worked attacking phase, making it 26-19.

Just when it appeared Clifton might hold on for victory, St Brendan’s mounted one final assault. Their persistence was rewarded five minutes from time when they crossed for a converted try to level the scores at 26-26.

Full-time: 26-26

Neither side could find a decisive score in the closing stages, leaving honours even after a hugely entertaining afternoon of rugby.

Having earlier been awarded a five-point home walkover after B.A.C. were unable to fulfil their Counties 4 South fixture, Clifton now return to competitive action with a trip to Dings Crusaders 3rds at Shaftesbury Park in the opening instalment of Bristol Derby Day.

Thatcher’s Cider Man of the Match was awarded to Kiwi back-rower Ged Roessink, whose tireless work at the breakdown and all-action display played a crucial role in the Misfits’ performance.

Tries:
Roessink
Deavin
Lightburn
Ahmed

Conversions:
Wakefield (3)

Photographs by Ian Clark

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