Tigers 30 – 41 Clifton
On Saturday we welcomed newly promoted Clifton to Park Lane. The Bristol side had endured a tough start to life at this level with defeats to three of the league’s top five, but arrived as a big, physical and well-organised outfit who like to play direct, open rugby for the full eighty minutes.
For the Tigers, the aim was to build on recent good performances and maintain intensity right through to the final whistle. Conditions were fine with just a slight breeze up the pitch.
First Half
The game got off to a difficult start when an intercepted pass allowed Clifton in for a converted try after just three minutes, putting the visitors 0–7 ahead.
Tigers hit back quickly. A powerful catch-and-drive from the forwards saw hooker Ben Gregory touch down, levelling the scores. But Clifton responded almost immediately with a second converted try after strong work from their pack.
A penalty from Oli Glasse narrowed the gap to 10–14 before Gregory struck again, finishing off another well-executed lineout drive to give Tigers a 15–14 lead.
The game remained fiercely contested, but Clifton showed their strength before the break. A pick-and-go under the posts brought their third converted try, and soon after they secured the bonus point with a fourth score. At half time the visitors held a commanding 15–28 advantage.
Second Half
Tigers started the second period with renewed determination. Gregory completed his hat trick, converted by Glasse, to reduce the deficit to 22–28. Just three minutes later centre Zane Ainsley broke through the defence for the bonus-point try, cutting the gap to a single point at 27–28.
Clifton, however, remained composed. Two penalties on 60 and 66 minutes extended their lead to 27–34. Another Glasse penalty kept Tigers in touch, but the visitors finished the stronger. A final score in the closing stages sealed a 30–41 victory for Clifton.
Full Time
On the day, Clifton were the better side. They were more physical, disciplined, and dynamic, and always posed a threat. For Tigers there were positives – notably Gregory’s hat trick – but too many penalties, particularly in the second half, proved costly. The early injury to full-back Josh Ree was also a setback.
The squad will regroup and work hard this week ahead of a huge challenge away at Bishop’s Stortford next Saturday.
— Steve Hazz