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	Clifton Rugby Football Club History	index sitemap advanced site search by freefind
	v Bristol 10th April 1897

This was the 16th fixture between the sides. Clifton had previously only won 2, drawn 2 and lost 11. Earlier in the season they had played each other and Bristol had won 16-5.

Standing (L-R): H.S.Sinnott, T.W.Baker, A.W.Board, W.J.Lias, W.H.Birch, T.W.H.Inskip, H.Mills. Sitting: J.M.Greenwood, T.S.Duffett, E.W.Baker, W.E.Paul, H.N.Spencer, C.W.W.James. On Ground: E.S.B.Smith, T.Taylor, A.B.Cridland.

The above photo was taken just before the match v Bristol outside the pavilion at the County Ground on 10th April 1897. The game ended in a 6-5 victory for Bristol. Bristol scored a try in the last second as the whistle went for full-time. Clifton claiming that the ball had been touched down after the whistle.

The report in The Bristol Times and Mirror on 12th April 1897 said

BRISTOL V CLIFTON. - The brilliant sunshine and warm mild air which prevailed on Saturday afternoon gave notice that the football season was coming to an end. Though it was hardly an ideal day for active participants in the game, it was very pleasant for the spectators, who mustered upon the County Ground in large numbers to witness the return match between Bristol and Clifton. Feeling concerning the game ran higher even than usual, for it was recognized that Clifton had an excellent chance of making the issue a very narrow one, even if they did not actually carry off the palm of victory. The teams turned out exactly in the order announced, and were ten minutes late only. The game was started by Birch, and Percy Hussey found touch smartly. A penalty left Bristol in a good position, and Needs whipped out to Parsons, who gave to Reggie Hussey. He delayed his pass a second too long and so lost his brother a try. A rushing dribble took Clifton back to neutral ground, where Spencer broke right away, and gave Bostock Smith, but he knocked on. A moment later, taking advantage of an opening made by James, Spencer was off again with the ball at his feet, and was smartly stopped by Smithson. In a series of scrums Clifton held their own for a while, and then gave way, but Cridland recovered the lost ground by a speedy rush. A couple of kicks by Needs drove Clifton back again. When in the centre, Bristol were penalized for legs up, and, though Birch failed to utilize the advantage, Lias popped in a useful little kick. Lias then whipped out to James, who ran well and gave to E.W.Baker, who was bustled into touch close by the corner. A vigorous push took the game from this dangerous proximity to the goal line, and Fenner kicked, but a mistake of Smithson's brought Clifton close to the line again. A nice kick by Reggie Hussey followed, and a pretty bit of play was seen, Needs going away in his best style, and Percy Hussey snapped the pass and grounding the ball beneath the posts Smithson missed the goal. With the resumption there was a spell of even play, broken by one of Reggie Hussey's clever, dashing dribbles. Lias came to the relief of his side and E.W.Baker found touch. Pearce was conspicuous by a dribble, but Lias's cleverness was again valuable and following his kick Inskip actually dribbled over the line. The ball, however, was kicked back into play and a scrum formed under the posts. A pretty run and punt by Reggie Hussey sent Bristol off, and a kick by Parsons went dead. The drop out was vigorously returned by R.Hussey, who helped pull Paul down. Another dead ball resulted from a kick by Fenner, and the next episode of interests was a fine charge by Bingham. Half time arrived with Bristol pressing and leading by a try. The interchange of kicks which followed the kick off left Bristol with a substantial advantage. Through Fenner missing a pass Clifton were enable to get upon level terms, and some loose play on the left saw Spencer and E.W.Baker sprinting away on the wing. From a penalty by the 25, Board had a shot at goal. But his kick was knocked down. If Fenner had gathered in Needs tardy punt he would have had a rare chance. Another opportunity was given him a moment later, and he got within a couple of yards of the corner before James dashed round and found touch. When the ball came in Parsons looked a likely scorer, but he was grassed, and his pass went wide. Hale shot at goal met with the same fate as Board's, and Parsons was speeding for home when Paul had him down again. A penalty on their own goal line was not of much service to Clifton, but an opening by James, which Lias accepted, gave them breathing space, and James was inainly instrumental in opening up another hot attack. Some exciting play followed, Needs running clean away, and Fenner misjudging the ball. Smithson kicked and followed up in his most dashing, and Lias fielding from Reggie Hussey, went sailing up the touch-line until Reggie tackled him splendidly. Parsons made a game attempt to clear, but found in Spencer an insuperable obstacle. A moment later James took a pass from Lias and went clean in, Watkins Baker converting. Two points to the bad, Bristol made a fine effort. They reached their opponents' quarters, where their stay was brief, Clifton rushing over the half-way line and more than holding their own. The prospects of Bristol pulling off the match were almost nil, as it wanted no more than a minute to time when Reggie Hussey was away and gave to Parsons. It looked as if the centre man would go in himself, but he was shut in an transferred to Fenner who touched down in the corner. The goal kick failed, and "no-side" was at once called, with the score - Bristol, two tries (6 points); Clifton, one goal (5 points). Teams:- Bristol: Smithson, back; Percy Hussey, reggie Hussey, Parsons, and Fenner, three-quarters; Needs and Pearce, halves; Jarman, Bingham, Thomson, Martin, Hale, Shellard, Blizzard, and Gell, forwards. Clifton: Paul, back; Bostock Smith, Spencer, T.W.Baker and E.W.Baker, threequarters; Lias and James, halves; Birch, Duffett, Cridland, Taylor, Mills, Greenwood, Board, and Inskip, forwards. Referee, Mr. Phelps (Gloucester).

The players were

The following season the fixture was controversially dropped by Bristol. It was reinstated in 1898-99 season when Bristol won 19-0 and 28-5. In 1899-1900 Bristol won 47-0 and 26-0.