Close window [X]   

	Clifton Rugby Football Club History	index sitemap advanced site search by freefind
	v Bristol 23rd September 1893

The first match played on Clifton's new pitch at Buffalo Bill's Field in Horfield. Anticipating a large crowd, Clifton hired five policemen and four stewards. They had also bolstored their side with Hooper, Field and Grace, W.G's eldest son. Bristol had gained 3 players from Clifton a year before, Birch, Hunt and Ford.

Clifton 0 - Bristol 11. The 8th fixture between the sides. Clifton had won 2, Bristol had won 5, and 1 had been drawn so far.

An account of the match appeared in The Bristol Times & Mirror on 25th September 1893 and said

Nearly 4,000 persons assembled upon the new ground of the Clifton Club, at Horfield, on Saturday afternoon when a match was played between the home team and the Bristol Club. The weather threatenedrain all afternoon, but fortunateley the downpour kept off. A chill east wind was blowing, and this madethe cold enough for any winter pastime. Both sides were well representedalthough Bristol were without Turner and Wilcocks, whose places on the three-quarter line were taken by Chard and Thomas; and Clifton had secured powerful assistance in C.A.Hooper and Field. The game was started by Clifton, for whom Belson kicked off. The ball was charged down, and some tough scrummaging followed upon the half-way line. This was broken by Lias getting the ball smartly out to Hooper, who was marked before he could get clear. Hooper made his mark a moment or two later, and Thompson relieved with a long kick, which found touch.Grace then started a fine running dribble, which led the Clifton forwards well into the Bristol 25. Pearce worked out with a dodgy little run, but Lias handed out of the pack to Hooper, and pretty passing amongst the three-quarters again bought the visitors' goal into jeopody. Stronger play by the Bristol three-quarters slowly forced the game over the half-way line, where Field got possession, and put in a brilliant run, which was only just checked by Mackay a few yards from goal. Fenner speedily following up a long kick by Lockyer, secured the ball, and reached the 25 flag of his opponents. Ine the scrum, the ball was again handed to him, and after a useful spurt he passed to Jarman, enabling him to score a try, which Ashford could not convert. The kick out was charged down, and after thisthe first notable event was smart play between Jarman, Ford, Pearce and Thompson. Ashford started off wellfrom the half-way line, but was pulled down by Cooper. Stiff, close work followed, and Ashford, receiving the leather, threw all his weight upon his leg to start off quickly, and the ligature of the knee, unable to bear the strain, gave way.He lay upon the ground for a few moments, and was carried off, to be sent home in a cab. A delay of some five minutes was thus caused. Lockyer went back in place of Ashford, and Thompson moved into the centre. Clifton were first to assume the agressive, but Fenner turned the tables with a fine run, and Lockyer lost a good opening through bad passing. Half time was called with the score - Bristol, one try; Clifton, nil. When play was resumedHooper and Field played in the centre, with Rogerson and Davies on the wings. The game was fairly even and a bit dull at the outset, and then the Bristol forwards made their weight felt, and soon reached the Clifton 25. Hunt spoiled the work by kickingright behind. Scrummaging followed the kick out, and the ball coming out the Bristol side, Pearce quikly gave to Fenner, and he raced along close to the touch line, scoring near the corner. Thompson was sucessful with a difficult goal kick. Clifton had their innings after this, and Hooper and Field gained a lot of ground by their combination play. The home forwards beat the city men altogether in the loose, and rushed up the right wing, carrying the ball over the goal line, and were prevented from scoring by Lockyer touching down. When play was re-started Lias initiated another good piece of work by quikly passing out from the scrum to the three-quarters. The effort being ill-sustained, Bristol were soon back on the haqlf-way line. Hunt giving Thompson the ball, the captain charged through the crowd and gained a try near the corner flag. Mackay made a game shot at goal, which just missed. Field's kicking came in very well when the game was once more set going, as Mackay was rushed down before he could return a second time, and Rogerson followed this up by a well-judged punting into touch. Their best effort was a dashing piece of passing, which Field started from the middle line. He sent to Davie, and receiving the ball back again transferred to Lias who threw it into the crowd when close to the visitor's goal. This was the last noteworthy incident, and the game ended in favour of Bristol by one goal and two tries to nothing. Teams:- Clifton: N.C.Cooper, back; C.A.Hooper, E.Field, T.Rogerson, and W.G.Davie, three-quarter backs; W.J.Lias (captain) and E.M.Panterdownes, half-backs; H.L.Norrington, B.H.Belson, W.Gwynn, L.Olivant, M.Blood, T.Jones, H.Bingham, and W.G.Grace jun., forwards. Bristol: W.A.Mackay, back; Chard, B.W.L.Ashford, W.Thompson, and E.Fenner, three-quarter backs; W.T.Pearce and F.W.Hunt, half-backs; W.H.Birch, A.W.Ford, W.Jarman, T.O.Davies, T.S.Duffett, P.F.Dewar, Capenhurst, and P.Lockyer, forwards. S.A.Ball refereed.

The players were

Samuel Albert Ball referee

Above match report from the Bristol Mercury on the 25th September 1893.