A try by James Golledge in the final minute of the game earned Clifton a well-deserved away victory when a dramatic Shelford comeback looked possible.

Clifton dominated the first half and raced into an early lead after Shelford failed to pull off a risky interception and Jack Gadd crossed for a converted try. The visitors converted continued pressure into points as David Cook bulldozed over the whitewash for his first try of the afternoon and Ed Wilkes crossed soon after as Shelford's pack were unable to repel their more physical opponents. As Clifton looked like taking a healthy lead into the interval, Shelford number 8 Rupert Ransom barged through several would-be tacklers and stretched out to score an unlikely converted try for the hosts.

Shelford continued to build momentum in the second half and after a sequence of powerful drives through the forwards, Steve Smith finished off a superb team try to converge the scores once more. Ed Gough added a Shelford penalty and as Clifton’s lead was threatened, the impressive Cook claimed his second score of the afternoon with another powerful surge from close range. Although Ransom crossed for his second and Shelford's third score, Golledge had the last laugh as his backline created enough space for him to waltz over for the decisive score.

Referee: Michael Copper

Star Man: David Cook

Attendance: 195

H-T: 7-19

Scores:

Shelford:

T: Ransom 38,74; Smith 42

C: Gough 39,75

P: Gough 52

Clifton:

T: Gadd 5; Cook 26, 62; Wilkes 30; Golledge 80

C: Knox 6,31,63,81