MISFITS 67 - 5 BISHOPSTON

Clifton Misfits completed their only pre-season fixture ahead of the new league campaign with an emphatic 67–5 victory over Bishopston under the lights at Station Road on Friday evening.

Following a successful summer of recruitment, six players made their Misfits debuts, with Ethan White, Zaaf Ahmed, Ethan Tyers, Jake Edwards, Ged Roessink and James Milner all featuring.

Clifton made a flying start, with captain Harry Heskin opening the scoring after six minutes. Ian Bentall then crossed twice, before Lewis Wakefield and Sam Thomas added further tries to establish a 31–0 lead. Heskin added his second just before half-time to send Clifton into the interval 36–0 ahead. There was a pause in play shortly before the interval after debutant James Milner was forced to leave the field with concussion.

Thomas crossed for his second after the restart, before a spell of indiscipline saw Bishopston reduced to 14 men temporarily, then permanently following a high-tackle yellow card and subsequent double yellow, which resulted in a Red. Bishopston pulled back a consolation try, but Clifton responded with four further scores through Jack Kember, Tom Archer and Heskin, who completed a memorable four-try haul.

Lewis Wakefield finished with six conversions, while Harry Heskin and Ethan White shared the Man of the Match honours.

With the league campaign now just days away, the Misfits head into the season with confidence and plenty of momentum. A big thank you to Bishopston for the game, and we wish them all the very best for the season ahead.

Photographs by Ian Clark