Wanderers produced a superb second-half turnaround to claim a fifth consecutive victory, overturning a 13-0 deficit to beat Gordon League 31-18 away from home.

The visitors endured a difficult opening forty minutes. Gordon League struck early through two penalties at 5 and 10 minutes, capitalising on Wanderers’ ill-discipline to move 0-6 ahead. Continued pressure eventually told as the hosts crossed for a converted try on 35 minutes, stretching the score to 0-13.

Wanderers did gain a late advantage as Gordon League saw a man sent to the bin right on the stroke of half-time, but the sides went into the break with Wanderers still scoreless.

A key halftime substitution saw Junsei Yasuda introduced for Howard-Robinson, adding immediate physicality and tempo around the breakdown - an injection of energy that would earn him Man of the Match honours.

Wanderers wasted no time shifting the momentum. On 50 minutes, captain Tom Hatch powered over for the team’s first try, converted by Harry Delaney to cut the gap to 7-13.

Five minutes later, full-back Tom Hargan sliced through for Wanderers’ second try, narrowing the score to 12-13. With further changes on the hour - Symonds for Ling and Spragg for Joyce - the fresh legs maintained the pressure.

Hargan struck again on 68 minutes with his second try of the afternoon, Delaney adding the extras to give Wanderers their first lead at 19-13.

Just four minutes later, lock Matt Dailly crashed over, extending the advantage to 24–13 as the visitors took control of the contest.

Gordon League managed a response at 76 minutes to tighten the match at 24-18, but Wanderers shut the door almost immediately. Replacement Rohan Howard-Robinson, back on the field, finished off a flowing move at 78 minutes, with Delaney’s third conversion sealing the 31-18 comeback win.

That’s five wins on the bounce after a tough start to the campaign. Wanderers’ surge up the table continues as they climb to 4th place, setting up a huge 4th vs 5th showdown next weekend against National League reserve rivals Old Reds 2s.

MISFITS 24–50 CLEVE 2nd XV

The Lavender & Blacks hosted Cleve 2nd XV on Saturday in the first-ever league meeting between the two sides, but despite a spirited attacking display, the Misfits were eventually overpowered by a physically dominant Cleve outfit who surged clear after the break.

Head coach Mark Nichols handed debuts to centre Rory Trafford and winger Jack Carter, while forwards Jack Kember and Ross Rochelle made a welcome return from injury.

The visitors, however, struck the first blow after only three minutes, their pack asserting early control to power over for a converted try and a 7–0 lead.

Clifton responded smartly. On six minutes Trafford made the initial incision from first phase ball creating the space for Captain Michael Wyatt to finish out wide, with Jake Wakeling adding the tricky extras to level at 7–7.

The home side struck again five minutes later as Cleve’s defensive line faltered; Trafford was once more heavily involved before Adam Walters crossed. Wakeling’s conversion pushed Clifton ahead 14–7, though the score proved Walters’ only contribution before he was forced off through injury.

Sustained pressure from the hosts yielded a penalty on 16 minutes, which Wakeling duly slotted for 17–7. But Cleve remained in touch, narrowing the deficit with an unconverted try on the half-hour mark to send the sides in at half-time with Clifton holding a 17–12 advantage.

The second half, however, belonged almost entirely to the visitors. Cleve burst out of the blocks with renewed physicality, scoring twice in quick succession—both converted—to overturn the deficit and open a 26–17 lead.

Clifton rallied on 52 minutes through one of the game’s standout phases. Centre Joe Glynn broke the line superbly before combining with captain Wyatt, whose offload allowed scrum-half Cian Lightburn to dart over. Wakeling maintained his perfect record from the tee to close the gap to 26–24.

That, though, was as close as the Misfits would come. With injuries mounting and a depleted bench stretched thin, Cleve tightened their grip on proceedings. Their increasing dominance at the breakdown and in contact produced four further tries as they pulled away to a convincing 50–24 victory.

Despite the result, Clifton produced several passages of excellent attacking rugby, particularly in the first half and around their third try, and there were clear positives to build on. For his decisive role in all three home tries, debutant Rory Trafford was named Thatchers Man of the Match.

The Misfits now turn their attention to next weekend’s short trip to the Portway Centre, where they will renew hostilities with familiar rivals St Brendan’s Old Boys in the latest instalment of the Battle of Henbury.

Photographs by Ian Clark