So this weekend off we go to……………Bristol and Clifton RFC.
Clifton have had a mixed start to this season. Currently sitting third from bottom with 1 win from 4 games, they gave failed to continue their impressive end to last season which saw them win 18 of their 28 games and take a respectable 5th place in National 2 South. The still possess a threat in wing Rob Viol who ended last season’s campaign with 22 tries to his name, so Ben Ward and the boys will not take their trip to Clifton lightly.
Ben said after the game last week, "despite their league position, they still possess some decent players, we will turn our attention now to a tough game against Clifton this week. We must work hard in training and we will be ready come Saturday."
A History of Clifton RFC
Clifton Rugby Club was formed on 27th September 1872 at the Kings Arms on Blackboy Hill in Clifton, Bristol. The pub still stands, although it was rebuilt in 1902, and since refurbishment in the late 1990’s was known as Bohemia. It was then renamed Babushka, then Stark and was refurbished and renamed The Black Bear at the end of 2007. We are the 30th oldest club in the United Kingdom, the 19th oldest in England, the 2nd oldest in the South West (Bath beat us by 7 years) and the oldest in Bristol.
We have had 3 players gain international honours while playing for Clifton, James Arthur Bush in 1872, 73, 75, and 76, Hiatt Cowles Baker in 1887 and John Currie 1956-62. Many players have played for their country before or after playing for Clifton, most notable of these are 2 England captains, in 1955 Peter Young and in 1967 Colin McFadyean and the first captain of Wales, James Alfred Bevan, in 1881.
Clifton in 2010
Clifton’s top points scorer in fly half cum centre Chris Ashwin with 18, whilst Dean Taylor- Menzies has two tries to his name. They possess some strong running players in wing Rob Viol and full back Sam Smee, and plenty of knowledge and grunt up front as well with ex Bridgy lock Ben Purcell and the ex Bristol pair Matt Slater and Mark Reagan.
Clifton is never an easy place to go to, as centre Joe Price only knows too well. "Despite our good record against them, the are always a hard team to break down. They never give up and keep coming back at you. Training this week has been good, and we will go there in confident mood, but as Mike and the coaches are only too aware, we must keep producing week in week out"
Recent games between Ealing Trailfinders and Clifton RFC
10/04/10 Clifton 24 Ealing Trailfinders 42
12/12/09 Ealing Trailfinders 36 Clifton 11
16/02/08 Clifton 22 Ealing Trailfinders 36
20/10/07 Ealing Trailfinders 71 Clifton 17
