Clifton comeback denies battling Bridgwater an unexpected win

Clifton 34 Bridgwater & Albion 10: This was a typical derby, with the form book going out of the window.

Before the break bottom side Bridgwater were in control, with Clifton lacking cohesion and sharpness. It was a different tale in the second half as Clifton's forwards imposed themselves and a flurry of tries ensued in the closing 10 minutes.

The visitors did not help themselves, as they lost impressive centre James Stark to the sin-bin on the stroke of half-time for a dangerous tackle and shortly after he returned, hooker Matt Hastie was yellow-carded for a technical offence in the red area.

Bridgwater put Clifton under early pressure with slick passing, and full-back Andy Hancock made a powerful break.

Winger Rob Viol launched Clifton's first attack after seven minutes when he sped down the touchline from deep in his own half with debutant flanker James Davies in support, but the move broke down.

Good work by home full-back Sam Smee prevented Hastie from scoring under the posts, but the deadlock was broken after 26 minutes when Stark put winger Sam Showering away to score under the posts for Bridgwater, with No 8 Gregg Charlton converting.

As the interval approached, a Clifton move broke down close to the visitors' line and referee Karl Kirkpatrick whistled for the interval.

As the players began to leave the field, however, he noticed touch judge Brian Ravenhill had his flag out for foul play.

As a result, he called the players back, sent Stark to the sin-bin and awarded Clifton a penalty five metres from the line.

The scrum went down twice and, on the second occasion, Kirkpatrick awarded a penalty try which fly-half John Barnes converted to level the scores.

Clifton were a far more focussed side after the interval and, within four minutes, were in front with hooker Sam Wilkes going over.

The home forwards slowly took control and it was no surprise when from a scrum close to the line, a short blindside allowed left winger Sam Kent merely to fall over the line.

Bridgwater staged a mini-revival and Charlton was successful with a penalty. Clifton then introduced new signing from Bridgwater, Matt Britton, who went to scrum-half with Adam Jones filling in for Barnes at fly-half.

After 73 minutes, Clifton lost centre Steve Leonard with a knee injury to be replaced by flanker David Cook, which resulted in a reshuffle in the backs.

At the next line-out, lock Darren Barry's clean catch launched a drive to the line which ended with Cook touching down the bonus-point try.

Bridgwater were clearly tiring as the game went into its final stages and Kent scored a fine individual second try, which was converted by Jones.

There was still time for lock Ben Glynn to go over from close range to put the seal on Clifton's win.