Clifton rise up to second

CLIFTON and Dings Crusaders are six points behind National Two West leaders Leicester Lions after an afternoon of contrasting fortunes on Saturday.

While the table-toppers were 31-15 victors over Redruth, Dings lost ground with a 19-12 home defeat to Exeter University, but Clifton overtook their Bristol neighbours on points difference following their 29-3 victory away to Barnstaple.

Elsewhere, Old Reds collected their fourth victory of the season with a 50-27 home triumph over struggling Stourbridge, however Hornets fell to a 40-15 reverse to Luctonians in Leominster.

Meanwhile, in National League One, Cinderford recovered from 12-0 down to snatch a 30-30 draw at Hull, although they missed a conversion to win the game.

The Foresters are now fifth in the table, 14 points behind the table-topping Rams, who beat visitors Plymouth 26-14 for a tenth victory out of ten.

Taunton Titans are down in tenth after they were swatted aside 40-13 by hosts Darlington Mowden Park.

Hartpury, meanwhile, were no match for Jersey Reds in Pool One of the Championship Cup. The Channel Islanders ran out 55-24 winners.