The form book would have suggested that Clifton, sharing the leadership at the top of the table, might have expected a comfortable win over the students. Shortly before half-time, with the try bonus point already secured and a lead of twenty-eight points to seven, everything seemed on course.

Their opponents, despite lacking Clifton's power, showed they had the pace and energy to mount a second-half revival. For a short period in the second half, they believed that they might possibly upset the form book. They deserved their losing and try bonus points, but were ultimately unable to further threaten a determined Clifton.

With Redruth suffering a defeat, the lavender and blacks share the top spot with Luctonians, ahead of next playing Taunton away and Redruth at home.

The dominance of the Clifton pack was evident from the kick-off, with the Exeter eight being propelled backwards and scrums won against the head. However, the first score went against them as the alert Harry Woodman found space to race over, with Woody Walker converting.

This prompted Clifton’s best phase of the day as they scored four tries with fly half Ollie Millner converting all four. A 50/22 kick gave them a platform for Clifton Sausage Man of the Match scrum-half Max McCarthy to jink through under the posts.

Soon after, moving upfield, a McCarthy run set the platform for number eight Harry Hone to power over the line. Winger Hayden Main was next to take advantage and extend the score. Using their weight advantage, a twenty-metre rolling maul gave hooker Conor Thomas his first Clifton try and the bonus point.

A momentary lapse before the interval allowed prop Ben Smith to reduce the margin, with Walker again converting.

Clifton may question their kicking plan as a further Woodman score, before full back Christy Quirke took advantage of some possession to speed in with Walker’s conversion, reducing Clifton’s lead.

However, another fine Clifton rolling maul set up Harry Johnson, fresh off the bench, to touch down, with fellow replacement Tom Quinlan adding the two points.

Clifton’s resolve remained strong, but a late Walker penalty secured the second bonus point for the university men to take back to Devon.

Roger Opie

WANDERERS 29 - 50 DINGS CRUSADERS 2NDXV

A derby-day defeat for Clifton Wanderers in an entertaining encounter, with both sides showing plenty of ambition and an appetite to play attacking rugby.

Dings’ forwards took early control, opening the scoring with a well-executed catch-and-drive try, which was converted. The visitors quickly built confidence and followed up with a superb team try after more than 15 phases of patient attacking play.

Clifton were certainly playing their part, putting in a stern defensive effort, but struggled to sustain their own attacking opportunities. A third Dings try extended the visitors’ lead to 19–0 with just 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

However, Clifton responded positively, gaining good field position and producing an excellent lineout catch-and-drive, finished off by Andy Thomas to get the home side on the scoreboard.

The momentum began to shift, with Clifton taking control from the restart. An excellent midfield attack, combined with quick hands, created space for left winger Jason Grinstead to finish in the corner, bringing the score back to 12–19 at half-time.

Dings started the second half in much the same fashion as the first, with powerful carries from their forwards and slick handling from the outside backs. Two well-worked tries exploiting Clifton’s left defensive edge extended the visitors’ advantage, before another forward-driven effort made it 12–40 with 20 minutes remaining.

Once again, Clifton showed plenty of character, digging deep to regain possession and territory. A dominant forward drive provided the platform for the outstanding Andy Thomas to crash over for his second try.

A yellow card for the unfortunate Phil Poppy gave Dings the upper hand in the forwards once more, and the visitors took advantage by adding two further tries.

Clifton, though, refused to give in. Determined to secure a valuable bonus-point try, they continued to press and were rewarded with a brilliant chip-and-chase finish from right winger Ian Bentall.

There was still time for Clifton to have the final say, with the combative Andy Thomas completing an excellent hat-trick to bring the final score to 29-50.

An excellent game of attacking rugby from both sides. Dings were deserved winners, demonstrating their quality and strength to maintain their unbeaten run at the top of the table.

Try scorers:
Andy Thomas x 3
Jason Grindstead
Ian Bentall

Conversions:
Harry Delaney x 2

Man of the Match- Bing Ling
All-round strong performance from the front rower.

DINGS CRUSADERS 3RDXV 24 - 47 MISFITS

The Misfits marked the first Bristol derby contest of the 26-27 season, against local rivals Dings 3rd XV, with an impressive 47–24 victory at Shaftesbury Park, securing a valuable try bonus point and maintaining their position at the top of Counties 4 Gloucestershire South.

A youthful Clifton side travelled across Bristol with a depleted squad following a combination of injuries and call-ups to the Wanderers. However, there was plenty of experience returning to the fold, with Louis Birch, Matin Nassiri, Oscar Webb and Josh Kindlon all welcomed back by Head Coach Mark Nichols. There was also an exciting debut for Colts centre Ozzie Martini.

Clifton started brightly and immediately put the Dings pack under pressure, with the visitors enjoying clear superiority at scrum time. The Misfits made their early dominance count, with Tom Archer using his pace to break through and open the scoring on 16 minutes. Three minutes later, fly-half Jake Wakeling capitalised on an interception, racing 50 yards to score under the posts and extend the advantage to 14–0.

Dings responded with two tries of their own to reduce the deficit to just four points at the break. In truth, Clifton could have been further ahead, having created opportunities to add another two or three scores during an encouraging first half.

The hosts carried that momentum into the second period, scoring early to take the lead for the first time. However, the young Misfits refused to panic. On his very first touch, 18 year old debutant Ozzie Martini regathered a kick and raced 30 yards to restore Clifton's advantage with an excellent individual effort.

Dings continued to threaten and edged ahead once more, but the Misfits gradually began to turn the screw. The Clifton forwards, who had been outstanding throughout, laid the foundations for a strong finish. Kiwi back-rower Ged Roessink powered over from close range following a quickly taken penalty to put Clifton back in front.

Archer then added his second of the afternoon, finishing out wide, before the Misfits' backs began to exploit the space created by their forward dominance. Ollie Whattam crossed for his first try after Clifton broke free and moved the ball superbly through the hands.

With Dings' discipline beginning to deteriorate under sustained pressure, the hosts were reduced to 14 men following two yellow cards. Clifton took full advantage in the closing stages, with a powerful driving maul providing the platform for Whattam to claim his second try of the afternoon, courtesy of a well-timed finish in the corner.

While the Clifton backs provided plenty of attacking entertainment, with both Archer and Whattam grabbing braces each, the victory was ultimately built on an outstanding collective forward performance.
The Lavender & Black’s back row of Jack Kember, Archie Davis and Roessink were particularly impressive, while the front row of Archie Millward, Matin Nassiri and Max Pullen dominated the scrum and provided a solid platform throughout.

It was no surprise that the Thatchers Cider Man of the Match award went to prop Max Pullen, whose scrummaging and defensive contribution were instrumental in the victory.

A convincing bonus-point win against local rivals, delivered by a very young Misfits side, sees Clifton take first blood in this season's Bristol derby and retain top spot in the league.

Following a demanding seven-game block, the Misfits now enjoy a well-earned weekend off before returning to Station Road on 21 November to welcome Avonmouth 2nd XV.

Try scorers:
Archer (2)
Whattam (2)
Wakeling
Martini
Roessink

Conversions:
Wakeling (6)

Photographs by Ian Clark

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