Clifton 24 – 10 Sedgley Park Tigers
The Tigers began their 2026 campaign on the road with a tough test away at newly-promoted Clifton in Bristol. With both sides sitting close together in the table and each holding five wins from their opening fixtures, this was always likely to be a tight and physical encounter. Clifton had edged the reverse fixture 41–30 back in September, while the Tigers were keen to respond after a difficult run of results against the league’s top four before Christmas.
On our first ever visit to Station Road, we knew we were facing a dangerous side, particularly one that had already claimed an impressive home victory over Rosslyn Park earlier in the season.
The Tigers made a bright start, controlling possession and building pressure inside the Clifton half. After ten minutes a penalty kicked us deep into the home 22, and from the resulting lineout the forwards drove strongly, with hooker Ben Gregory touching down for the opening score. The conversion narrowly missed, but the Tigers led 5–0 and looked well placed to build momentum.
Several promising attacking opportunities followed, including some excellent breaks from winger Rhys Henderson, but resolute Clifton defence denied us further points. A growing penalty count then began to shift both territory and possession back towards the hosts.
Clifton capitalised with a penalty advantage inside our 22, moving the ball wide for their number eight to crash over. The conversion edged them ahead at 7–5. Ten minutes later, sustained pressure on our line led to a second try, again finished by their number eight and the hosts went into the interval 14–5 ahead.
It was a frustrating first half from a Tigers perspective: plenty of good attacking positions created, but too many opportunities left unfinished and too many penalties conceded at key moments.
The second half began with renewed intent, as we looked to raise the tempo and take the game back to Clifton. However, an interception midway through the half was quickly moved wide, allowing their left winger to score in the corner and extend the lead to 19–5.
Further pressure followed and, after another penalty conceded close to our line, Clifton’s pack drove over from a five metre lineout to secure their fourth try and the bonus point, pushing the score out to 24–5.
The Tigers did manage a late response when replacement hooker Jack Ellam finished a powerful catch and drive from the forwards, but it proved to be only consolation as the match ended 24–10 in favour of the home side.
Overall, it was a disappointing afternoon for the Tigers. Too many avoidable penalties and missed chances proved costly, while full credit must go to Clifton, who defended superbly throughout and converted their pressure into points.
The result leaves us in the bottom three of National One and facing the prospect of a relegation battle unless we can quickly turn our form around.
Next up is a vital home fixture against Bishop’s Stortford at Park Lane, a side we defeated earlier in the season. With the remaining matches now crucial, your support will be more important than ever, so please come down and get behind the team as we look to return to winning ways.
Cheers,
Steve Hazz