Defeat !!!

Chipping Sodbury 1st 43 - Clevedon 1st 10

This proved a very tough afternoon on the road for Clevedon, and if it wasn't for determined defence the score could have been more. On a grey and cold November day Clevedon started well building phases and asking questions of the big Sodbury side and were rewarded with a penalty opportunity converted by Adam Coles to lead 3 nil. Early doors saw the Seasiders getting the better of the larger Sodbury pack at scrum time, gaining penalties and enabling them to gain ground. However it was from a scrum that Sodbury got their first score when the referee decided that Clevedon had dropped a scrum with Sodbury flying backwards and from the resulting penalty they were able to release their big running backs to score an unconverted try for 5-3. This was followed by a break down the blindside for Sodbury to score a converted try 12-3 . The next 20 minutes saw Sodbury attacking deep into the Clevedon half and only determined defence led by the backrow of Russell, Tucker and Ford, kept them at bay. With minutes left Clevedon surged into the Sodbury half and from a strong scrum the Seasiders were rewarded with a penalty and the advantage saw the fleet footed Tom Thie score converted by Coles, 10-12 Clevedon then lost the services of lineout technician Ben Chase and the influential backrower Charles Tucker through injury, with the side reshuffling Sodbury scored another try to lead 17-12 at the break. The second half saw Clevedon playing up the slope and were soon rewarded with a penalty, which unfortunately didn't find touch and a clearance kick from Sodbury saw the ball bounce favourably over the Clevedon players heads and into Sodburys hands to increase their lead. This proved to be the story of the second half as Clevedon's spirited defence was tested and any worthwhile possession was lost by forcing the issue and the Sodbury side got on top to score another 4 trys and finish resounding winners.
Head Coach Nick Hill commented 'its a learning curve at the moment but we will get there... but our thoughts this week lie with the family of Bob Downey, who sadly passed this week after a battle with illness. Bob was a keen player and stalwart of the club and more importantly one of life's nice guys. RIP from all at the Vale