Clifton 37 – 29 Rosslyn Park
15/11/25
It wasn’t meant to be for Rosslyn Park after a cold and wet affair in the West Country against Clifton. Tries from Charlie Walker, Max Fraine, and Ed Volley weren’t enough to secure a win against a physical Clifton side.
The home team started strongly in the first half, with Ollie Millner claiming three points early on after Park conceded a penalty. This was followed by some kick tennis between both sides before Clifton eventually capitalised: a maul on Park’s five-metre line allowed Joe Snow to snipe in and score. Park were 10–0 down inside the opening 10 minutes.
The visitors did respond. After building phases in the Clifton 22, the home side were penalised, and Bill Johnston cut the deficit to seven. Moments later, Clifton’s Oliver Stirling received the first yellow of the afternoon for a late challenge.
As momentum shifted, Park struck again off the resulting lineout. A clever move on the blindside saw Charlie Walker chip and chase to score Park’s first of the afternoon. But Clifton responded well: after Park conceded a free kick on their own five-metre line, Brad Talbot powered over to restore the hosts’ lead.
Things got worse for Park when they conceded a scrum penalty, allowing Clifton to extend their advantage to 10 points heading into half-time.
Park started the brighter of the two sides in the second half. A clever nudge from Johnston found Luke Mehson, who collected well to score. Clifton immediately hit back to restore their lead to eight.
Discipline then began to hurt the visitors. After a string of penalties, Matt Woodward was shown the second yellow card of the afternoon. Clifton capitalised on the extra man, forcing a scrum on Park’s five-metre line where Talbot claimed his second try.
But Park stood firm. A sharp move off a lineout found Max Fraine, who finished well in the corner. Johnston’s excellent conversion brought the visitors back within eight. Minutes later, Park were within one point when a fantastic line from Ed Volley carried him over.
Ultimately, Clifton’s physicality proved decisive. After further penalties, Cameron King received Park’s third yellow card of the afternoon, and the hosts sealed the win through Naquan Smith, who powered over from close range.
It was a tough day for Park against a very physical Clifton side, but there were plenty of positives to take forward into a big game against Bishop’s Stortford at The Rock next Saturday.
Rosslyn Park:
Tries: Walker (20’) Mehson (41’) Fraine (59’) Volley (66’)
Conversions: Johnston (21’, 60’, 67’)
Penalties: Johnston (18’)
Yellow Cards: Woodward (47’) King (74’)
Team: Nwakor, Piper, Woodward, Cleet, Martin, Spencer, Ellis, Orchard, Roddick, Johnston, Marfo, Vaughan, Volley, Walker, Mehson,
Replacements: Fraine, Cade, Wade, King, James
Clifton
Tries: Snow (10’) Talbot (25’, 55’) Smith (77’)
Conversions: Millner (11’, 26’, 56’, 78’)
Penalties: Millner (4’, 35’, 44’)
Yellow Cards: Stirling (19’)
Team: Cand, Hatch, Ratumaisese, Myatt, Sainsbury, Stirling, Smith, Talbot, Snow, Millner, Harris. Owen, Smith, Hamid, Johnson
Replacements: Davey, Symonds, Head, Mckinney, Power.