Sandal 17 Clifton 31: Clifton's treble dreams are still alive after they staged a comeback to progress to the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

Trailing 17-8 to and Wakefield based Sandal just after half time, Clifton finished strongly with replacement forwards Sam Wilkes and John Levis inspiring

Clifton are now one match away from a Twickenham final. They also lead South West One and are in the Charles Saunders Combination Cup semi-finals.

Clifton's chances of a semi-final looked bleak on 47 minutes when hooker Sam Tee went under, Greg Wood converting, to stretch the hosts' lead to 17-8.

Sandal's Simon Hall scored a try. Wood converted.

The second-half belonged to Clifton. Hooker Wilkes and No 8 Levis came off the bench to beef up the pack and inspire the forwards to drive their way into the heart of the hosts' defence.

Player-coach John Barnes replied with a penalty on 54 minutes before flanker Graham Hardy went over after a quickly taken tap penalty. Barnes' conversion put Clifton in front.

Barnes put his side further ahead with a penalty and added the extras after Viol went over.

Barnes slotted a 79th minute drop goal before Sandal's frustrations got the better of them and Clifton held on.