Clifton College Ryan
Bresnahan Memorial 2024
Bresnahan
Memorial Match
2011
Clifton College 16 - Bristol Grammar School 3
2012
Clifton College 11 - Colston’s School 16
2013
Clifton College 37 - Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School 6
2014
Clifton College 10 - Kingswood School 30
2015
Clifton College 50 - Colston’s School 10
2016
Clifton College 57 - Cheltenham College 19
2017
Clifton College 38 - Llandovery College 15
2018
Clifton College 12 - Millfield 15
2019
Clifton College 29 - Millfield 0
2021
Clifton College 27 - Rugby 0
2022
Clifton College 17 - Kirkham 19
2023
Clifton College 43 - Millfield 41
Welcome to the Ryan Bresnahan Memorial Match 2024
A warm welcome to Kingswood for their second appearance at the Ryan Bresnahan memorial match. This match has always been the most competitive and sporting spectacle, with all the boys respecting the importance of the event in raising funds and awareness for the ‘A life for a cure’ charity.
The college 1st team began the year on a positive footing after returning from a successful South American tour. A first game against Harrow will always prove a challenge but the Clifton teams all showed their growth and improvement to deliver performances across all 5 college teams. This year’s fixture list continues to grow with additions like KIngswood and also Terenure college, adding to Blackrock from Ireland who we play earlier in the season, with Christ Brecon, Llandovery from Wales and also an Australian touring team to finish the season.
Good luck to all the teams competing today.
Daniel Grewcock
Welcome to the Ryan Bresnahan Memorial Match 2024
This evening we warmly welcome you all to the Ryan Bresnahan Memorial Evening where we celebrate the life of Ryan alongside the game of rugby of which he was so fond of.
We also extend a big thank you and welcome to Kingswood and Beechen Cliff who join us once again for this special occasion.
Over the years the evening has provided some fine matches between all age groups and looking at the quality of rugby that both schools are producing, no doubt there will be some fantastic rugby on show.
Tonight we welcome back our neighbours from Kingswood School after a ten year gap. The result that day back in 2014 was the biggest defeat the College has suffered in this fixture and one of my first memories being involved with Clifton. The side that Kingswood fielded that day were superb and went on to have an unbeaten season. The Kingswood team we welcome also come off the back of a nearly equally impressive 2023 season and I am sure that tonight’s game will be a brilliant showcase of school boy rugby.
I would encourage all supporters to show their passion for their team but always in a sporting and appropriate manner and to also celebrate any fine play by both teams equally. We are here tonight to celebrate the life of Ryan and so much that is good about our sport with fair play being a huge part.
Many thanks to Fin Fielder and Aidan Boshoff for helping with the commentary and Bristol and England player Harry Randall for presenting the trophies.
Lastly, thanks to the referees, caterers and Clifton Rugby Club for all their help over the past thirteen years.
Enjoy the evening.
Matthew Salter
A life for a cure has raised over £600,000 for meningitis research and awareness following the tragic death of Clifton College pupil Ryan Bresnahan in March 2010.
All proceeds donated at this evening’s event go directly to Ryan’s appeal to continue the fight against meningitis.
Fixtures
17:30
U14
Clifton College V Beechen Cliff
U15
Clifton College V Beechen Cliff
U16
Clifton College V Kingswood 18:00 Prep School
Clifton College V Kingswood 19:30 1st XV
Clifton College V Kingswood 17:30U14 CollegeClifton BeechenV Cliff 17:30U16 CollegeClifton KingswoodV 17:30U15 CollegeClifton BeechenV Cliff CliftonPrepSchool18:001stCollegeVKingswood XV19:30 CliftonCollegeVKingswood
The Memorial Match 1st Teams
Clifton College
1. G Leyland (NT)
2. J Malka (WaH)
3. L Arver (SH)
4. H Jones (SH)
5. O Williams (WaH)
6. J Yasuda (ET)
7. O Taylor (MH)
8. Z Arver (SH)
9. M Dixon (WiH)
10. F Kandavanam-Lovell (ST)
11. G Gammell (SH)
12. F St John (SH)
13. L Bowden (MH)
14. A Rowe (MH)
15. O Harris (NT) (Capt)
Subs
16. J Stewart (NT)
17. M Rogers (WiH)
18. T Smith Milne (MH)
19. N Williams (SH)
20. J Smith (MH)
21. L Popple (SH)
22. H Delaney (NT)
23. R Morgan (NT)
Kingswood
1. J Williams
2. E McDade
3. A Engley-Duffy
4. R Targett
5. A Wake
6. C Hanson-Brown
7. T Johnson
8. E Gallagher (Capt)
9. J Perry
10. J Linegar (Capt)
11. M Worthy
12. S Walsh
13. J Watts
14. F Belmont
15. J Adams Subs
16. R Knight
17. J Dunn
18. O Smith
“The Ryan Bresnahan match is one of my finest school boy rugby memories. Such matches and all that they stand for are so special that they still carry, for me, a real sense of pride to have played in.”
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (WiH)
“The RB game will forever be one of my fondest memories due to the powerful message that this game represents and how The College supports this fixture to allow it to be one of the largest occasions in English school rugby.”
Aidan
Boshoff (WiH)
“It’s a great night for a great cause with a great atmosphere.”
Tom Bowen (WiH)
“The Ryan Bresnahan match is the biggest fixture of the year. The atmosphere and the cause enables you to rise to the occasion.”
Aaron Tull (MH)
“It’s a great occasion and one of the best rugby memories I had at Clifton. The atmosphere is rocking from start to finish. It is a great opportunity to showcase your skills in front of a big crowd.”
Carwyn
Penny (MH)
“The night creates awareness for a great cause and provides an unbelievable opportunity for the players to play in front of a big crowd on a massive occasion for them, the school and the foundation.”
Shay Sainsbury (NT)
“The annual Ryan Bresnahan match is the game everyone looks forward to, players and pupils. It’s an exciting opportunity to play in front of the whole school and the crowd brings an amazing atmosphere. It is an honour to be selected for this game and certainly one you will remember.”
Joe Wooler (ET)
“The Ryan Bresnahan memorial fixtures are special for all involved with the College, past and present. So many great memories are created while supporting a great cause.”
Isaac Campbell-Wu (ET)
“To be able to be a part of the match is such an unreal experience and one boys involved will never forget when they look back at their memories at Clifton.”
Louie Trevett (MH)
“The Ryan Bresnahan Memorial Match is the pinnacle of a Cliftonian’s rugby season each and every year.”
George Millett (NT)
“The Ryan Bresnahan match is one you watch through your time in the Prep School and always want to be out there playing in. For myself and the team, it is the biggest school event of the year playing for a great cause.”
Junsei Y (ET)
“The Bresnahan game is the biggest game of the year for the boys and we all know how big the occasion is.”
Fin K-L (ST)
“This is the match I have dreamed of playing in since year 9 and it is an honour to do so.”
Ollie H (NT)
Clifton College Rugby Stars Shine on International Stage
Clifton College’s rugby programme celebrates two remarkable achievements this summer. Two of our pupils, Osian and Victor, have made significant strides on the international stage, following the recent successes of Ioan Lloyd and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who both earned spots in their senior national teams.
Osian, representing Wales, and Victor, showcasing his skills for England, have been standout performers in their respective youth sides in recent years. Both from Watson’s House, which while not historically a ‘rugby’ House, is a moment of great pride for all Watson’s pupils, and the wider College.
Noel Doran, Housemaster of Watson’s House said: “Victor and Osian joined Watson’s House in September 2023. Despite their initial nerves of joining a boarding school, they soon found their feet, not only on the rugby pitch, but also within the Watson’s House. Osian is now part of the House Team and is helping to lead the boys into the House Song competition next month. Both are fine examples of boys that have taken their opportunities at Clifton and consequently they have excelled in all areas of life in a boarding school.”
Victor, an U18 centre, started for the England U18 Men’s team in the 2024 International Series against Ireland and South Africa, as well as being on the bench for the match against Georgia.
Osian was called up to the Wales men’s U18 development week, which also involved U18 teams from Italy, Scotland and Ireland. It was an amazing opportunity for Osian to further grow within the Wales development team.
Matt Salter, Director of Rugby said “We’re all so proud of Osian and Victor’s development. It’s a pleasure for us to see their love of rugby grow and when that mix of talent and passion comes together, the sky’s the limit for them. I’m sure they both have bright futures ahead of them playing for Wales and England, and will become two more great ambassadors for our rugby programme.”
This continued success in pupils and OCs being integrated into national team set-ups is a great signal of strength for our rugby programme, in producing top-tier talent. Well done Osian and Victor, keep up the good work!
