Clevedon shake off away day blues with stylish win in Cornwall

Tries from Owen Biggins, Jack Williams and Tom Thie fired Clevedon to a third consecutive win and a first away from home this season, to lift them off the bottom of South West One West – while eight points from the boot of Mike Taylor completed a fine day on the road for the Seasiders.

But the visitors didn’t have it all their own way and only a resolute defensive effort kept the hosts as bay during a frantic opening ten minutes.

A powerful hit from prop Alex Giltrow finally put the hosts on the back foot and set the tone for the remainder of the half.

As the ball was shipped along the line, centre Dean Ashfield intercepted and set off on a 40 metre burst before offloading to the supporting Tom Thie.

He was held up just short, but Owen Biggins was on hand to crash over from close range against the run of play.

Taylor was wide with the conversion, but landed a penalty minutes later to extend the Clevedon lead to 8-0.

The winger was on target again on the half hour mark as Clevedon piled on the pressure – and the visitors soon demonstrated the clinical edge that has been missing for much of the season, with a second try before the break.

With the referee playing advantage for a penalty, the ball was moved swiftly through four pairs of hands, including a neat pick-up from Harley Foley.

A sweeping move was again held up just short of the line, but Jack Williams – who was enormous for the visitors throughout the afternoon – powered his way over from two yards out to send Clevedon into the break with an 18-0 lead.

The second-half began in a similar way to the first, with St Austell applying pressure to the Clevedon line.

But once again, the visitors held firm and were rewarded for their defensive effort with a third score on the hour mark – Mortimore’s pinpoint box-kick was spilt by the St Austell full-back and Tom Thie was on hand to scoop up the loose ball and sprint in from 30 metres.

Rory Biggins and Dean Ashfield continued to punch holes in the host’s midfield, as well as halting any momentum with a number of crunching hits.

The back-row of Warren, Russell and Owen Biggins were winning the battle at the breakdown – and it was a Warren turnover that set Clevedon on another breakaway.

This time they were unable to add the finishing touches – and with four minutes left on the clock, St Austell final breached the Clevedon line for a consolation try.

There was still time for the visitors to push for a bonus-point, but Warren was unable to gather Russell’s pass with the line at his mercy.

Clevedon will be hoping to continue their revival when they host Thornbury next Saturday – kick-off is 2.30pm.