Over the years Clifton has produced many players who have progressed to play for Premiership clubs and even international teams. Joe Owen, now an established item in the Bristol Bears starting squad, played his early senior rugby in the lavender and black shirt.
In December he was selected for the England A XV against Spain. His ability to play as a flanker or second row forward is due to his sensational pace. In recent Bears victories over Newcastle and Sale his performance in securing good ball in the line outs was a key ingredient. Against Sale Joe muscled his way over to score his team’s first try. He also led a young Bears team against an Argentine XV at Ashton Gate.
Making his debut that evening was teenager Ollie Harris, a current Clifton winger, who has developed his game this season with club. Harris scored his first Bristol try against the South Americans and has won a Clifton Sausage man of the match award after some great breaks and lightening speed to outpace defences.
Another Clifton product who earned his first start for the Bears against Newcastle is George Taylor, who was a former captain of the Clifton Mini & Juniors section and then further grew his game during his time at Loughborough University. Like Owen his pace around the pitch makes him flexible enough to play in either the back row or as a lock.
As a National 1 team Clifton 1st XV had a long break before 2026 activities were scheduled to get under way with the long four-hour haul to face leading promotion contenders Rotherham in South Yorkshire during the cold spell. Having checked with the Yorkshire club that a 07.15-pitch inspection had decided the pitch was fit, the team coach set off to find that on arrival the match was called off. Questions must be asked about how their hosts had failed in communications especially as most other rugby fixtures nearby were called off on the Friday. The only consolation was that no injuries were sustained !
To consolidate their league continuation the club must aim to win at least five of their remaining fixtures before the season ends in April. Two home matches in January should have provided some useful points.
Two away fixtures in February at Reading Rams and Bishops Stortford will be followed by a home match at 3pm on Saturday 28th February.
Roger Opie