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	Clifton Rugby Football Club History	index sitemap advanced site search by freefind
	v Bristol 23rd March 1889

played at Leach's Field, Westbury-on-Trym.

Clifton 0 - Bristol 4. The first fixture between the sides. After a fixture under the title of Bristol United the previous season, click here, Carlton and Redland Park amalgamated in 1888 to form Bristol. This match was dubbed as the decider for the leading rugby team in Bristol. Clifton were a team of youth and experience, Gloucestershire county players, including the captain and England International, Hiatt Cowles Baker, and England trialists, against a team of very little experience that had only played together for 7 months. A team who had been outplayed the previous season. Bristol had no internationals and no county players but won. This started a slow downhill slide for Clifton as they lost players and supporters.

An account of the match appeared in The Bristol Times & Mirror on 25th March 1889 and said

CLIFTON v BRISTOL - Great interest was felt in this match, which took place on Saturday afternoon on the ground of the former team, at Westbury. These teams have not met before this season, although it was a return match, the first fixture having been abandoned on account of the ground being in a flooded condition. The weather being fine, there was a large attendance of spectators, as a result of the game would practically decide which is the leading Rugby team in Bristol. Gee kicked off for Bristol at a quarter to four, the ball being well returned. Shortly afterwards Clifton had a free kick, which Baker took, and it resulted in a touch-down. From a loose field Bryan picked the ball up and ran between the posts, securing a try, which was converted into a goal by the same player. At half-time the score stood: Bristol, one goal one touch-down; and Clifton, three touches. During the second part of the game Bristol had it pretty much their own way, compelling Clifton to touch down five or six times. Luffman also secured a try for Bristol, but Bryan failed to kick a goal from a very difficult position. At the finish the score stood - Bristol 1 goal, 1 try, and 7 touches; Clifton, 3 touches. The teams were :- Bristol: Back, Aldridge; three-quarter backs, Bryan, Lowther, Prout, and Haskins; half backs, Cruikshanks and Hill; forwards, Gee, Brown, Bryan, Luffman, Lambert, Lockey, Winter, and Thompson; umpire, Mr H. Chandler. Clifton: Back E.F.Woodgate; three-quarter backs, Brook, Hill, Budgett, and Hooper; half backs, Graham and F.B.Budgett; forwards, H.C.Baker. E.Leonard, Edwards, Press, Salisbury, Garnett, Baker, and Birch; umpire, Mr.H.C.M.Hirst, Mr.A.E.Masters acted as the referee.

Another account of the match appeared in the Western Daily Press on 25th March 1889 (the microfilm copy in Bristol Central Library isn't clear and some interpolation has been done) and said

CLIFTON CLUB v BRISTOL - In fine weather and in the presence of a goodly number of spectators, chiefly partisans of the later team, the twoclubs met on Saturday for the first time this season. Hiatt Baker won the toss, and chose to play with the wind. Clifton kept the game for some time on the Bristol goal line until the latter worked it into the centre and Bryan, after a good sprint got past the Clifton back and scored a try amid considerable cheering, which was redoubled when the same player converted it into a goal. Baker restarted with a splendid kick, and Bristol toched down. This was followed by some hard play in the latter's territory, Edwards and Fred Budgett doing some good service for their side. Cruickshank now put in a good run. Hill neutralised, and Bristol again touched down. Hard forward play from both sides then prevailed until half-time. Resuming play again, Clifton were forced quickley to touch down. Soon after this Luffman got possession and suceeded in getting over the line. Bryan made a very good attempt at goal. Haskins and Prout next put in some good runs, and Frank Budgett, intercepting a pass, took the ball to the half-way flag; Bryan returned it, and Clifton touched down. Frank Budgett and Bryan now played well for their respective sides, Lowther and Bryan rendering material assistance with some good kicking. The Bristol forwards now brought off some good forward play. Graham replied with a good run, but failed to reach the line, and Haskins dribbled back to Clifton territory, where play was carried on for some time Clifton eventually touching down. Prout put in another good run for his side, and Leonard was also consicuous. After div? free kicks and a lot more forward play the whistle sounded for "No side," Bristol being left winners by 1 goal, 1 try, and 6 minors to 3 minors. Of the winners, behind the srimmage Cruikshank played an admirable game, and Bryan and Prout were likewise very useful. All the forwards on both sides played well; for Bristol, Lockey, Brown and Lambert were most noticeable; for Clifton, Edwards, Leonard and Salisbury. Of the Clifton backs, Frank Budgett the three-quarters played best, though he foolishly attempted to drop a goal when he could have run in easily. Hooper and Hill were useful, but the former lost many opportunities of passing, and the latter had very few chances, but played well. Teams:- Bristol- J.E.Aldridge, back; Bryan, Lowther, T.A.Prout, and Haskins, three-quarter backs; R.D.Cruikshank and F.Hill, half backs; A.Gee, S.W.Brown, R.Bryan, Lambert, P.Lockey, Winter, W.Thompson, and Luffman forwards; Clifton- E.F.Woodgate, back; E.E.Hill, C.A.Hooper, H.Brook, and F.Budgett, three-quarter backs; G.Graham and F.B.Budgett, half backs; H.C.Baker. E.Leonard, R.Edwards, E.P.Press, A.Salisbury, W.Garnett, M.M.Baker, and W.H.Birch, forwards; referee Mr.A.E.Masters

The players were