Clifton IIs 26 Vs 18 Clevedon 1st Xv

Clevedon travelled to Cribbs Causeway for a tough opening day fixture eager to test themselves against one of the leagues big guns, Clifton IIs were promoted into this league last season however as with Cinderford and Old Reds there squads are laced with players who have experience at a much higher level.
Clevedon’s new head coach John Potts would have been keen to see if all the hard work put in during pre season would translate onto the pitch as he named a young side for his first league fixture in the hot seat.

Receiving the kick off the start looked ominous for Clevedon as over playing in there own 22 created unnecessary pressure and an inevitable penalty, Clifton kicked to the corner and after several phases crashed over in the corner to open up a 7-0 lead. Bouyed by the early score Clifton were straight on the attack again however the Clevedon defence was starting to find some teeth and after 5 minutes of pressure forced a scrum on there own 5 yard line, the Largenton and the returning Giltrow got straight to work in the set piece and forced a penalty to ease the pressure and give Clevedon a platform.
With a dominant scrum Clevedon grew into the game with Fisher providing quick ball for Thomas to control the Clevedon attack, however despite multiple phases the well organised Clifton defence remained strong and was aided by Clevedons misfiring line out. It was through this unlikely source that Clevedons score came, a crooked throw at the line out gave Clifton the possession, however there own inaccuracy was punished as Will Egerton pounced on the loose ball to crash over from 5 yards and even the scores at 7 a piece. Shortly after a good spell of possession earned Clevedon another penalty which Thomas converted to make it 7-10.
The game now settled into a pattern, Clevedons dominant set piece provided a source of good attacking ball, however the young attack was finding it difficult to break the home defence down and too often the ball was kicked away giving the well organised Clifton back 3 a chance to practice there counter attack drills and on 39 minutes the visitors were punished as they ran out of numbers in defence and the home side went through a gap to regain the lead, in 1st half injury time more salt was added to the wounds as a speculative cross field kick landed kindly for the home side and gave them a 19-10 halftime lead.
Clevedon started the 2nd half with a patched up back line as after losing both Wills and Commrie to cuts to the head , Ryder-Smith took up a role as a make shift centre, with Williams coming on at scrum half however they started the strongest as Charlie Tucker forced a kickable penalty for Thomas to make it 19-13. The next Clevedon attack saw a run by the returning Giltrow halted illegally and the Clifton winger was yellow carded , however Clifton held firm and forced a rare set piece penalty , Clevedon were then punished after a speculative chip from there own 22 earned the home side field position for them to score against the run of play and go 26-13 ahead.
Clevedon upped the anti and now with Crew, fear and Angel firing in the line outs there was no respite for the Clifton pack and a series of penalties and catch and drives saw Giltrow crash over and close the scores to 26-18 with 14 to play. For the last 15 minutes the play was all Clevedon as they chased the win with Joey Tucker making several dangerous breaks however to often the last pass went to ground or the basics let the visiting team down and a late yellow card for Charlie Tucker killed any hopes of a come from behind win.

Clevedons Player of the match – Charlie Tucker
Tries – Egerton, Giltrow
Other results
Saxons 15-38 keynsham IIs
Colts 22-33 Machen