Tough Battle At The Vale

This was an entertaining game right from the start as both sides played expansive rugby. Clevedon had the better of the opening exchanges but went behind when a mistake in the Exeter half led to a long range try, duly converted. The Seasiders hit back almost immediately when a clever chip from Adam Coles was picked up for Tom Thie to score a converted try. Clevedon now put the league leaders under pressure, once again getting on top at scrum time and building momentum in the loose and they took the lead with an Adam Coles penalty for 10-7. In the closing minutes of the half and with Clevedon pressurising the Exeter red zone, the ball was intercepted enabling the visitors to score a converted try for a halftime score of 10-14
The second half saw Clevedon with the wind behind them kicking long down field, the ball was caught and ran back with interest that resulted in a fine individual try, not converted .This seemed to spark Exeter into action and two more trys converting one and only some last ditch tackling from Clevedon's Tom Willis deprived them of more. To all watching it would have been easy to think that was game over, however Clevedon had other ideas as the forwards put Exeter under a gr eat deal of pressure at scrum time and after a succession of 5 metre scrums Cameron Maslen scored a converted try. Moments later the Seasiders were at it again with another 5 metre scrum and great work from Ashley Vailes and Dave Rawle enabled Adam Coles to off load the ball for Cameron Maslen to score his second try, Adam Coles converted to secure a losing bonus point.
Head Coach Nick Hill commented 'Apart from a 10 minute period in the second half when we went to sleep, the lads showed tremendous spirit and played some good stuff. We also showed that we may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment but no side will have it easy when they come to the Vale'.
Next Saturday Clevedon are away to keynsham KO 2.15 pm.