CHELTENHAM 1st XV 20 V CLEVEDON 1st XV 43
.
The Clevedon boys were back on the road this week looking for that elusive away win, having not won away since the opening game of the season. With the autumn sun glistening down on the new pitch the seasiders looked resplendent and ready for action in the blue and gold of Clevedon !
On a dry windy day on a superb artificial playing surface Clevedon's young braves showed what they were capable of and what the loyal supporting fans wanted to see.
Cheltenham took an early lead with a penalty, but this did not phase the young Seasiders as they pushed hard and started to penetrated the Cheltenham defence.
Clevedon’s structured game plan for playing into the wind soon took effect when running out of defence rather than kicking saw fleet footed fullback Jordan Mein show a fine turn of pace to score under the posts which he also converted.
Cheltenham's big pack hit back with a forward drive that resulted with a try of their own but this only spurred Clevedon on stringing together several phase’s keeping the ball in hand and running the ball at every opportunity, with the young back line guided by Tom Thie and Ashley Vailes they ran riot, with Adam Coles in Sparkling form in the centre. This constant pressure resulted in a Clevedon line out and cunning captain Matthew Honour used his experience to throw a short ball to Toby ford who race a full 50 yards to score Clevedons second try.
Clevedon were now in the driving seat probing the opposition with their direct approach and forceful running, this allowed Clevedon’s own Welsh Wizard Rhys Talbot to release quick ball for Ali (Sand Wedge) Balcombe to score a try after some slick handling.
The seasiders continued to dominate the first half and with their back row in fabulous form Charlie Tucker, Toby Ford and Lewis O’Brien kept Cheltenhams attacks to the bare minimum. Again the visitors pushed on and the impressive Jordan Mein scored a second try which he in turn converted just before the break, although the final say of the half went to the host’s, Cheltenham’s pack picked and drove to the line to score their second try which was then converted.
The second half saw Clevedon change their game plan as they were now playing with the wind and some fine searching kicks into the oppositions half did create chances but the host’s clawed their way back and started to dominate the early stages but it was not long before Clevedon clicked back into gear through
Tom Thie who marshalled from behind the scrum bobbed and weaved his way through the defence to score Clevedons 5th try which Jordan Mein converted.
Clevedon's forwards with the wind at their backs started to take control with Brian Largenton, Blaise Bosley and Oli Jones prominent in all of the attacks getting in behind Cheltenham and penetrating their defence.
Clevedon’s next try came from Ashley Vailes as he used his fast footwork to evade the oncoming tacklers to cross for a fine try, sadly no conversion to compliment this great team try.
Clevedon's final and 7th try came from a driving line out which saw the leaping Ben Chase reach out for the ball, gather it in and transfer to Man of The Match Charlie Tucker who then drove the ball to the line to score which was converted by Mein.
The last say went to Cheltenham who on the final whistle scored a consolation try
Acting coach Neil Tucker Said, ‘This was a much improved performance from a young developing squad, I am very proud and pleased of how they all preformed today’