Clifton progressed to the next round of the EDF Intermediate Cup with a deserved victory over their Devon visitors. Their reward for this win is a home tie with Old Albanians on January 17.

The victory also means that Clifton have completed the first half of the season unbeaten in competitive matches.

They made a good start to this game when visiting fly-half Andy Birkett was penalised for back-chat to the referee and Clifton No 10 Andy Bell landed a straightforward penalty.

The visitors fought back but Bell landed his second penalty to extend Clifton's lead and then the first try came in the 32nd minute when Clifton turned the ball over at a ruck and a good move led to scrum-half Dan Frost going over. Bell converted.

Birkett missed a second-half penalty and in the closing stages the extra fitness of Clifton began to tell and they scored a magnificent try with play going over 20 phases before centre Steve Leonard crossed for a try that Bell converted.

Clifton continued to press and their lively pack got their reward when some close-range driving eventually put lock Darren Barry over. Bell added the extras to give him a 100 per cent kicking success rate for the afternoon.