Hinckley clinched this victory with the final score of the game, with Clifton leaving Leicestershire with two bonus points gained from scoring four tries and being within seven points of their hosts.

Reflections on this loss will focus on the lavender and blacks high error count and match day statistics, which will show that they incurred two yellow cards and gifted their opponents several penalties which were either converted or enabled Hinckley to establish promising field positions.

Early on a home try was quickly cancelled out by number eight Jake Holcombe being driven over from a penalty at the breakdown.

Hinckley benefitted from their extra numbers following the first Clifton yellow card and the loss of lock Henry Harper through injury to establish a 17-5 lead. However, Clifton fought back with another catch and drive propelling hooker George Davey across the line and then a fine run by centre Will Owen and accurate pass sending Matty Smith over. Fly half Tom Quinlan converted both efforts to give his team a two point lead at the interval.

Unfortunately Clifton surrendered the lead when a deliberate knock on gifted their opponents a penalty try, and then they converted a penalty to put them eight points ahead. Hinckley were getting the edge in the scrums and Clifton were gifting them further penalties.

A try by replacement hooker Tom Anderson converted by Marcus Nel placed Clifton just one point behind, until the final score of the game was a late unconverted Hinckley try which sent a frustrated Clifton on their homeward trek considering what might have been.

Roger Opie

WANDERERS 24 - 12 GORDON LEAGUE 1st XV

The Wanderers made the trip up the M5 to Gloucester this weekend, heading to Gordon League for the rearranged fixture that was rained off a fortnight ago.

Despite the recent weather, the sun was out, the pitch was firm and a bumper crowd gathered at Hempsted Lane.

Clifton headed into the game with a mix-matched side, given that this was meant to be a rest week in the calendar. This included debuts for Ollie Seagrove, Sam Butchers, Seb Noto and Mike Wyatt, as well as some well-earned call ups for some Misfits players.

Playing down the slope for the first half, Clifton failed to capitalise on their own line breaks and poor discipline of the home side. Despite plenty of opportunities to put points on the board, the half time whistle went with the Wanderers only 5-0 up, courtesy of a Jordan Brew score off of the back of a driving maul.

The second half, playing up the hill, was set to be a tough ask for the away side. Despite some strong running, the boot of Gordon League’s fly half kept the Wanderers pinned at the bottom of the slope.

Shortly after the break, some quick phases saw Gordon League bundle over for a converted try, pinching the lead off of the Wanderers at 7-5.

Clifton responded with some more excellent play in the tight areas, with Clem Stokes (Conversion - Monty Weatherall) and Tom Hatch barrelling over from close range consecutively to give the Wanderers a 17-7 lead going into the final few minutes.

A late unconverted score for the home side took the gap to 5 points with only two minutes remaining. Gordon League looked to play straight from the kick off but eventually infringed. Quick thinking from Jack Bowyer saw him take a quick tap penalty and score in the corner (Conversion - Monty Weatherall), meaning Clifton came away with a full 5 points and took a losing bonus point away from the home side.

A tough away fixture against a strong and physical Gordon League side, the Wanderers can be pleased to have ground out a full quota of points.

Man of the Match went to Fly-Half Monty Weatherall. Despite only playing a handful of fixtures this season, he displayed excellent control of the game and led a defensive effort that prevented the home side gaining the upper hand at many points in the game.