Miserable Morning for Vale

Last Sunday saw Avonvale RFC made the lengthy trip across to Clevedon for the first time and found us hit the kind of form that’s been missing in recent weeks. At long last we seem to have started to play with the same vigour and intent that we were treated to pre Xmas. Lately we have been sadly lacking in teamwork and cohesion, but Sunday morning was definitely a step back in the right direction with the forwards doing their job and securing good ball, the half backs dispersing possession with intelligence and the three quarters seeing plenty of much deserved action.

The first fifteen minutes was particularly pleasing as we passed and kept the ball alive as much as we ever have. Avonvale were caught napping by an unusually alert Clevedon side, right from the off, and this was to be the story of the first period as we ran in 6 well worked trys with no reply from the visitors. “Shark Finn” kicked things off from the centre, with Mac barging through next. Rudsta up after that with his customary notch followed by a notable “Ashton Splash” from Chas (still needs a little work on that). McCauly was in determined fashion and began his day with a well taken individual effort, and Woody rounding things off nicely with the final try of the first period.

With a chance to re-group Avonvale came out firing and produced some very competitive rugby. The next fifteen minutes was much more even and saw both sides moving the ball around well. However a handful of the Clevedon boys were having their best ever day and this just edged it with Clevedon scoring two trys to Avonvales one. Olly was finding new form and beginning to realise that those massive shoulders either side of his neck are quite handy for pushing things around with!!! Well done fella, please continue to trust us and try things out and you’ll be a fine player one day. Charlie was discovering new talents and actually running with intent which opened up all sorts of options outside him. Matt was back and didn’t disappoint with some excellent kamikaze defence. Adam didn’t put a foot wrong all day and is becoming a really strong player, taking on much of last weeks training session and putting it into practice. Banksy continued his recent rise to recognition but was slightly eclipsed by a rampant Luke who was simply excellent in the loose, fighting for the ball and keeping things alive. I should go on but can’t mention everyone every time, however one other player deserves standout praise as the day simply belonged to him. The welsh wizard was outstanding. In attack he was ever-present and lethal. In defence he was a brick wall. He was the scorer of both trys in the second period, rounding off his hatrick and went on to score a further one in the final third!!! You’d be forgiven in thinking he was greedy, absolutely not, he just has a instinctive knack of knowing where to be to finish things off, and that’s something you just can’t coach.

As previously mentioned early in the final 15 McCauly scored again. This seemed to knock the fight out of Avonvale who in all honesty are a really great little side and didn’t deserve the miserable morning they got. The day was rounded off by the half backs who had dispersed possession between them and orchestrated the day very well indeed with a real understanding beginning to emerge. The tornado’s try was a lovely move under pressure, and was finished in some style with some serious footwork. Dan rounded matters off with a try himself after a very unselfish day in the number 10 seat.

Thanks must go out to Avonvale, firstly for making the trip across but also for providing a newly qualified referee for the morning, allowing me particularly to enjoy the mornings play with a keener eye than if I’d been in the middle myself. The report card (if there was one) would have been glowing from the Clevedon side however I think perhaps a little more critical from the visiting management! One suspects his ears may have been burning in the car as he headed home. No one appreciates what a hard job it is and I’m sure he’ll be a great ref soon as his manner and character were excellent – just needs to work on the laws now ;) Also thanks to Tyler L, Woody and Josh who all helped out and played for the opposition to make up the numbers, I really appreciate that guys as I’m sure they did as well.

So rugby wise things looked very good as we look forward to festival season on the horizon. Unfortunately however, there is still some work required regarding respect for one another. Thankfully this is down to a very small minority who need to change their attitudes or leave the game. Rugby demands respect at every angle and if you don’t believe in that then it’s not the sport for you. Matters in school need to be left at school. Anyone who puts on the Clevedon jersey to play alongside you is a hero and should be treated like one. Sort it or go. I want (and will get) a team that want to play for each other and have fun together – that’s what it’s all about after all. Enough is enough, things have very much improved lately and hopefully we’re at the final hurdle.

Ask yourselves a question……..how do you measure success?

Is it by some numbers on a web page somewhere showing results of a long forgotten game?

Or is it by the size of your smile on a Sunday afternoon after having a laugh getting muddy with your mates on a rugby pitch?