Clifton have had a better start to this season than have Albanians and this six try to one drubbing by the visitors will give the West Country men confidence going into the Xmas period. It will also serve notice to anyone who didn’t know that successful rugby depends on a strong set piece. Clifton had it, Albanians struggled to keep pace.

It seemed for some time that OAs were in with a decent shout in this contest since, right up to half time, just three points separated the protagonists.

A missed tackle in midfield allowed Alex Lambert over on the right for the opening try converted by Brad Barnes who added a penalty on the half hour.

At this stage OAs were winning the territorial tussle and had a fair share of possession and it was no surprise when a dogged attack ended in a penalty try.

That was as close as A’s got and twelve minutes into the second period Clifton started to power away.

A penalty try was added to by Henry Harper ten minutes later. He repeated the dose for the bonus point try directly from the restart. Niall Gibbons added the fifth try and Finlay Sharp the sixth. Barnes and Tom Jones notched a conversion each.

Brian Quinn,

Press