Clifton - News, interviews, reports, analysis and opinion

Tag: Clifton

Clifton prevail in a ding-dong thriller

17 November 2024 0 comments

By SAM SMITH Loughborough S….26 Clifton…………………..33 AREAL ding-dong game took place at Loughborough University with an end-to-end game involving red cards and both attacking with […]

In-form Clifton cling on for win after red card

10 November 2024 0 comments

■ By ROGER OPIE Clifton…………………..33 Taunton……………….26 BOTH teams came into the game on winning sequences but it was Clifton who turned in their most complete […]

Cook forced to cool it as entertainers run amok

10 November 2024 0 comments

■ By BEN JAYCOCK Red alert: Old Redcliffians wing Jon Cook FREE-SCORING Old Redcliffians are National Two West’s entertainers and Jon Cook says his side […]

Daniels’ magic is the key to a top Clifton triumph

27 October 2024 0 comments

By BILL HOOPER Redruth………………..32 Clifton…………………..45 CLIFTON’S Luke Daniels inspired his side to a bonus-point win against the Reds. Redruth were quickly off the mark with […]

Clifton stun with dominant display

20 October 2024 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Clifton…………………..52 Macclesfield………. 17 CLIFTON turned in their best all-round performance of the season and ran in eight tries for the second successive […]

Taylor eyes promotion push despite testing start

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Tough test: Cinderford’s Nathan Taylor NATHAN Taylor admits Cinderford are bearing a weight of expectation to secure promotion back to National One […]

Clifton add to the Services’ unease

13 October 2024 0 comments

■By MO SHER Devonport S………… 17 Clifton…………………..52 DEVONPORT’S tough start to the season showed no signs of abating as Clifton claimed the full haul of […]

I put in three good shots on Jonah Lomu

6 October 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY JOHN DUDLEY THE FORMER ROTHERHAM & NORTH OF ENGLAND LOCK/BACK ROW Take that: John Dudley celebrates Rotherham’s famous play-off victory against Bedford […]

Teenager Riley is hero for Hinckley

6 October 2024 0 comments

■By PHIL THOMAS Hinckley………………32 Clifton…………………..26 A LATE try from teenager Riley Gilbert helped Hinckley see off Clifton. The hosts scored first when Murray Davidson dummied […]

Strong set-piece attacks scupper Clifton

29 September 2024 0 comments

By WYN TIGLEY Clifton…………….36 Cinderford……..40 IT had been seven years since Cinderford made the trip over the Severn Bridge, and this much anticipated match did […]

We’re Jamin! Hodgkins puts boot in to rivals

22 September 2024 0 comments

By GEOFF VICKRESS Luctonians……..39pts Clifton…………….. 15pts On the rampage: Luctonians No.8 Jack Goodwin charges through the tackles Power play: John White scores Luctonians’ third try […]

Holcombe sinks Reds with treble

15 September 2024 0 comments

■By ROGER OPIE Clifton…………………..36 Old Redcliffians….28 A DOMINANT second-half, led by their pack exerting serious pressure, underpinned a Clifton comeback from being 14 points adrift […]

Six-try Bears get in the mood for the big kick-off

8 September 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Bristol…………….40pts Tries: Batley 7, Randall 10, Malins 21, Marmion 46, 72, Naulago 52 Conversions: MacGinty 8, 22, 46, 52, 72 Dragons………….19pts Tries: […]

Anderson steps up to secure top draw

8 September 2024 0 comments

Exeter Uni………. 15pts Clifton…………….. 15pts ■ By JOSH THOMAS CLIFTON produced a brilliant second-half performance to stun Exeter University after they came from behind to […]

Cozens can see selection headaches on Clifton horizon

8 September 2024 0 comments

■ By BEN JAYCOCK PLAYER-COACH Luke Cozens has had to make way for Clifton’s new batch of fly-halves who aim to provide a fast, exciting […]

Aim to help players learn and explore

8 September 2024 0 comments

Steve Hill puts the questions to Jack Gadd, below, head coach at Hornets RFC in National 2 South Power play: Pierre Tucker scoring for Hornets […]

Students too good for Esher

1 September 2024 0 comments

■ By BEN JAYCOCK THIS weekend’s preseason encounters presented National League coaches with a final opportunity to test their squads ahead of their season openers […]

Devoto to make the difference for Titans

1 September 2024 0 comments

National 2 West BY BEN JAYCOCK Star signing: Former Exeter and England centre Ollie Devoto has joined Taunton. Inset, Luctonians coach Ryan Watkins PICTURES: Alamy […]

Rosslyn Park show Barnes how it’s done

25 August 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock National One Rosslyn Park illustrated their league superiority by dispatching their London rivals Barnes 52-12. Park took the lead after just two […]

NATIONAL 2 WEST

28 July 2024 0 comments

Macclesfield are one of four new teams to enter National Two West and Matt Coleridge’s side face a season full of mammoth journeys beginning with […]

Staying up’s going to be a challenge

28 July 2024 0 comments

Q&A Ben Jaycock talks to Devonport Services head coach Ben Russell, below, as they prepare for life in National Two West Happy days: Devonport Services […]

Golden oldies who had speed to burn

30 June 2024 0 comments

Rob Cole looks back at rugby players like Ken Jones and Jack Gregory who enjoyed success at the Olympic Games… It’s a question that is […]

Playing rugby ‘Bristol fashion’ suited me well

2 June 2024 0 comments

MY LIFE IN RUGBY – RALPH KNIBBS THE FORMER ENGLAND, BRISTOL & CLIFTON CENTRE I spent some of my youth in Knowle West, 30-plus years […]

You write off Saracens at your peril – Grewcock

26 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Danny Grewcock has joined Paul Sackey as the second player to be inducted into the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame for 2024 […]

Camborne make impact but top two dominate final line-up

26 May 2024 1 comment

NATIONAL 2 WEST DREAM TEAM >> THE BEST XV FROM 2023-24 AS VOTED FOR BY OUR REPORTERS After Dings Crusaders’ National Two West title success, […]

I’d love to coach at top level, says Biljon

5 May 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE It is one of rugby’s cruel ironies that Harvey Biljon, who has transformed the careers of so many players, is still waiting […]

We had belief in our ability

5 May 2024 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to Exeter Chiefs legend Gareth Steenson as he embarks on a new chapter away from Sandy Park IN THE heart of Exeter, […]

Delighted to see Titans stand tall

5 May 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER There are some teams you grow particularly attached to over the decades […]

I’ll never stop looking for hidden gems – Lam

28 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Pat Lam says he will never stop plundering the rugby mine of the Championship and the leagues below it as he searches […]

Gritty Newport are down, but not out

28 April 2024 0 comments

■By WYN TIGLEY Newport (S)…………26 Clifton…………………..24 NEWPORT Salop and Clifton Rugby met for the season’s denouement, each embodying a distinct narrative – Newport, relegated yet […]

Holders out as big rivals York snatch narrow win

28 April 2024 0 comments

■By MO SHER DEFENDING champions Driffield were dramatically beaten 31-30 by York to ensure there will be a new name on the Papa John’s Cup […]

Amazing to finish in top spot, says Smith

21 April 2024 0 comments

By WILLIAM GUPWELL Dings Crusaders secured promotion to National League 1 last weekend for the first time in the club’s history with a 69-7 win […]

Rotherham know they have edge on Leeds in title race

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK The last two rounds of action have given Rotherham Titans the advantage in the National Two North title race as rivals Leeds […]

Scrum teaches students a lesson

14 April 2024 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Clifton…………………..52 Exeter Uni…………….24 CLIFTON confirmed third place in the table as their scrum power proved too much for Exeter University. A lively […]

Students on top in see-saw battle

7 April 2024 0 comments

By ADAM CLEARY Loughborough S….40 Clifton…………………..33 LOUGHBOROUGH Students recorded a surprise bonus-point victory over third-place Clifton. The visitors made a dream start and took an […]

Cozens stars for Clifton to silence his ‘bitter’ critics

7 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Clifton player-coach Luke Cozens originally planned to take a step back from his fly-half duties but, at 37, has been an almost […]

Okafor at the death has Tykes stunned!

24 March 2024 0 comments

Rotherham T….32pts Leeds Tykes…..26pts By DAVID BEDDOWS Triumph: Lloyd Hayes puts John Okafor in for a try for Rotherham. Below, Jack Townend and Jack Bergmanas […]

Lewis full of pride for his Titans in bid for promotion

24 March 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Losing just one game all season would usually be more than enough to finish first, but Rotherham Titans can count themselves unfortunate […]

Stevens’ debut try puts icing on cake

24 March 2024 0 comments

Clifton…………………..48 Bournville…………….. 5 By ROGER OPIE WITH their league security confir med, Bour nville arrived at Clifton expressing an intent to run the ball. But […]

Dings ready for title race to go down to the wire

24 March 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK In a bizarre turn of events last weekend, Dings Crusaders were thanking arch rivals Clifton for doing them a huge favour in […]

RPNS7s – Prep Schools: Danes Hill set the standard

24 March 2024 0 comments

Sixty teams took part in the Prep Schools competition, with each competing to try and win one of the 10 groups in the festival. Bishop’s […]

Clifton edge win over Luctonians

17 March 2024 0 comments

By GEOFF VICKRESS Luctonians……………. 8 Clifton………………….. 10 ST PATRICK’S Day at Mortimer Park saw Luctonians up against Clifton in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. […]

Talbot’s double helps sink Reds

10 March 2024 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Clifton…………………. 38 Old Redcliffians….24 CLIFTON put on a fine first-half perfor mance and then held on to beat Old Redcliffians. By […]

Tom Jones is on song as good Lucs in for leaders

10 March 2024 0 comments

By BILL HOOPER Camborne………… 7pts Luctonians…….27 pts TEAMS CAMBORNE: Larkins, Vinnecombe, Matavesi, Gilbert, Kessell, Sidwell, Tanswell, Southworth, Priddey, Rodman, Hughes, Heazelton, Fuca, Nicholls, Rose Replacements: […]

Improvement bigger than promotion, says Watkins

10 March 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Luctonians are in a title shoot-out with Dings Crusaders in National Two West but head coach Ryan Watkins says promotion to the […]

Determined Dings won’t give up

3 March 2024 0 comments

By WILLIAM GUPWELL Dings Crusaders director of rugby Stean Williams isn’t looking too far ahead as the run-in for the National Two West title heats […]

Bennett’s late brace seals big win for Dudley

25 February 2024 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Dudley K…………33 Clifton…………….27 LOWLY Dudley Kingswinford scored a late try to seal an unlikely victory over Clifton in a tense contest. Anyone […]

Hinckley rue second-half shutout as Clifton rally

18 February 2024 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Clifton………………….. 31 Hinckley……………… 21 HINCKLEY were left licking their wounds after allowing a 11-point half-time lead evaporate yesterday It was Clifton […]

Elswood: I’m lucky to be only missing three games

18 February 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Hornets fly-half Jamie Elswood has been ruled out for several weeks after a nasty leg injury became infected. Despite missing last weekend’s […]