Dings Crusaders will meet Avonmouth in the Charles Saunders Combination Cup final after both sides secured hard-fought midweek wins.

Holders Clifton went down 25-17 at home to Dings, while Avonmouth battled back from conceding a try after just 20 seconds to defeat Cleve 14-10 at the Portway Development Centre.

Flanker Dan Lear charged down Sean Leadbeater's attempted clearance and collected to dart over from 15 metres for a score converted by Matt Spencer as Cleve made a dream start.

But Avonmouth deservedly pulled back to within a point thanks to two Andy Taylor penalties and, with Cleve centre TJ Madamombe in the sin-bin for a high tackle, took the lead for the first time with a 23rd-minute try from winger Billy Reynolds.

Spencer slotted a 50th-minute penalty to reduce the deficit to a point before Taylor added a third kick on the hour.

Avonmouth, with front jumper Harry Hone and flanker Neil Holder catching the eye, were in charge for long periods of the second half but came under pressure in the final 10 minutes as Cleve camped in their 22.

However, Avonmouth's defence held firm in a terrific advertisement for the Combination Cup. Coach Wayne Hone said: "We're very pleased and it's great to have a final to look forward to. Our defence at the end was outstanding."

Dings' dominant pack, meanwhile, laid the foundations for their win at Clifton.

The visitors raced into a 15-point lead after 30 minutes with tries from prop Josh Lloyd and centre Alex Dancer, plus a penalty and conversion from fly-half Dan Quartley, before hooker Henry Mace pulled back a try for the home side, converted by Barry Reeves.

Quartley chipped over a drop goal just before the break to make it 18-7. And although Reeves, making his Clifton debut, landed a penalty for the home side, Dings No 9 Steve Plummer nipped in to score from a five-metre scrum, Quartley converting, for a 25-10 lead.

Clifton had the final word, No 8 Harrison Tovey's try being converted by Reeves.

The final will be staged at the Memorial Stadium on April 22.

The Combination Vase semi-finals take place next week. Old Bristolians meet St Bernadette's on Tuesday at Broad Plain, and Old Colstonians take on Bishopston at Cleve on Wednesday. Both games kick off at 7.30pm.

Southmead entertain Dings Crusaders on Sunday (2.30pm) in the Combination Vets Cup quarter-finals. Aretians are the first club through to the last four, courtesy of a 40-12 win over Frampton Cotterell.

Holders Gloucestershire will qualify automatically for the Under-20 County Championship quarter-finals if they defeat Somerset at Lydney on Sunday (2.30pm).