In the final of the Wadworth 6X Bristol Combination Cup they took on holders Clifton, who they will come up against twice next season in National Division Two South.

The early exchanges were physical and aggressive with both sides committing everything at close quarters. At an early scrum Reds lost prop Ellis Joseph to a leg injury and replacement Craig McGrath was on within five minutes. Both teams continued to test each other out in all departments but it was the Clifton side began who began to get the upper hand in lineout and scrum. Reds, starved of any meaningful possession defended superbly, the back row of Sean Fox, Dan Fry and Scott Coster tackling themselves to a standstill; and it took their opponents half an hour to find a way through. Eventually the continual pressure told and centre Malcolm Peacock found a good angle to cross near the posts, Brad Barnes converting; he added a straightforward penalty shortly afterwards to give his side a ten point lead. Reds best chance to get on the board in the closing minutes of the first period came in the way of a penalty opportunity just before the break, but Ashley Groves kick drifted wide and in was Old Redcliffians 0 Clifton 10 at half time.

Reds knew that they needed to win more ball to establish a foothold in the game and string some phases together to get back in the contest; however Clifton increased the pressure further in the early stages of the second half and two quick tries following forward pressure and slick handling saw winger Sam Harrison and full back Ian Clark score wide out to extend the lead to twenty points. Reds showed glimpses of what they were capable of, but starved of a strong base at lineout and scrum, could not control enough phases to make an impact on the game. Centre Dan Wells cut a neat angle to add his sides fourth touchdown and with Barnes converting and adding three points from a penalty the game was over as a contest. Reds continued to work hard throughout the second forty, with their replacements performing well, but were continually on the back foot. They were however deservedly rewarded with a try of their own, they kept possession and drove forward, the ball was released to Ashley Groves who found full back Henry Bird at pace with a short pass, and he sprinted over between the posts, Groves converting but it was too little too late. At the final whistle the score was Clifton 30 Old Redcliffians 7.

It was a disappointing end to an excellent season which has seen Old Redcliffians reach their highest ever league position as their centenary approaches. A league campaign, in which we played 26 won 22, drew 1 and lost 3, saw the side total 106 points to win National League Three South by some nineteen points from Bristol rivals Dings, who failed in their bid to gain promotion in a play-off against Wimbledon. The team recorded some excellent wins against tough opponents throughout the season and the cup final showed what can be expected week-in-week-out next season and the enormity of the challenge ahead…

Scorers:
Old Redcliffians: Try- Henry Bird. Conversion- Ashley Groves
Clifton: Tries- Malcolm Peacock, Sam Harrison, Ian Clark, Dan Wells. Conversions- Brad Barnes 2. Penalties- Brad Barnes 2.

Old Redcliffians RFC

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