Despite dominating most of the contest, the Lions inability to take their chances coupled with their ill-discipline enabled Clifton to snatch victory at the end of a pulsating encounter between two sides desperate for wins.

The visitors were first on the board after just 3 minutes when prop Ricky Cano went over from close range after a 5 metre lineout. The conversion was unsuccessful (0-5).

The Lions responded well though and levelled the scores with a driving maul of their own, scored by Ben Park. Bouchier converted for the lead (7-5).

Clifton's hooker Tom Anderson scored an unconverted try mid-way from another lineout close to the Lions line but the home side then took control of the contest and were rewarded with two excellent tries. Firstly Theo Mannion crossed following some flowing attack that led to a Joey Britton break from which he got in support to finish. The centre then turned provider when his long pass released Jake Sterland out wide, and when he was held up just short, Bronson Mellowes crashed over from close range. Bouchier added one conversion to give the Lions a 9 point lead (19-10).

The Lions ill-discipline was keeping the visitors in the game though, and when given another opportunity to kick to the corner, the impressive centre Will Owen hit a great hard line off the back of the lineout and back rower Jay Evans was on hand to to score with the last play of the first half. This time Quinlan was on target to reduce the Lions lead to just two points at the break (19-17).

The Lions dominated the first 15 minutes following the interval and looked to be in a wining position when Jake Sterland charged down a kick and regathered to score. Bouchier converted to give the Lions a 9 point buffer (26-17).

Clifton refused to lie down though and when a series of penalties gave them another entry, Anderson reduced the deficit following another driving lineout (26-22).

The game remained in the balance for 20 minutes before Will Owen gave Clifton the lead with 5 minutes remaining. From yet another entry from a penalty, the bulldozing centre crashed through two would-be tacklers to score. Quinlan added the extras (26-29).

The Lions were given one last opportunity when a high tackle led to a yellow card and gave the home side an opportunity to kick to the corner with time up. When another infringement led to a penalty under the posts, the Lions elected to go for the win rather than take the points and settle for a draw. Bronson Mellowes tapped and crossed the line but agonisingly for the home support was held up.

When asked whether going for the tap penalty at the end of the game was the right decision head coach Gareth Collins said: ''They were down to 14, we had momentum, and if Bronson scores then no one even asks the question. We clearly played all the rugby today, and deserved to win, so I understand the players' decision not to settle for a draw. But hindsight is a great thing, and having not scored then of course taking the 3 points would have been better.''

The head coach also commented: ''It was a frustrating day. Our defence was good but we gave away too many avoidable penalties and made too many errors playing in areas that we didn't need to. Our performance wasn't up to our expected standard but we'll dust ourselves down and look forward to another big game at Stortford next week though.''