by Roger Opie

Clifton staged this match at Clifton College to honour past members and players who would have been well satisfied with the home team’s combination of sheer pace and slick handling to produce a bonus point win in this eagerly awaited Bristol derby.

However apart from an early Dan Wells penalty and territorial domination the resolute Old Reds defence against attack after attack kept Clifton at bay until just before the interval when firstly a clean break by the impressive Chris Levesley gave Jack Watters the space to cross followed almost immediately by inform winger Callum Roberts scoring. Levesley’s creative play inspired his backs all afternoon and skipper Wells converted five tries .

With Clifton edging the forward exchanges the second half began with high tempo moves and an interception saw Ian Clark run fifty metres for his try. Roberts soon swerved over for his second and Clark then scored again.

Both teams fully used their benches and some loose play allowed Henry Bird to intercept and put the Old Reds on the score sheet. The visitors were not done and showed determination to stretch the Clifton defence twice for replacements Tom Hargan and Scott Parsons to score with Ollie Conybeare converting all three tries

Clifton’s forward power won them a penalty try and they can be well satisfied with the nature of victory.

Congratulations to Chris Leversley and Henry Harper for being awarded the Clifton Sausage Man of the Match.

Clifton Rugby
Tries Watters [33] Roberts[ 35 & 50] Clark [48&52] Penalty [77]
Penalties Wells [1]
Conversions Wells [ 33, 35,48, 50&53]

Old Redclffians RFC
Tries Bird [38] Hargan [ 71] Parsons [80]
Conversions Conybeare [38, 71 &80]