Late try denies Clevedon in season finale

Tries from Mike Lowis, Brian Largenton, Rory Biggins and Dean Ashfield – together with nine points from the boot of Mike Taylor – saw Clevedon lead 29-22 with ten minutes left on the clock.

But a late rally from the visitors, including a remarkable 80 metre solo effort from centre Toby Evans, stole victory for the visitors in an action-packed nine-try encounter at Coleridge Vale.

In front of a bumper crowd on Past Players Day, Clevedon were slow out of the blocks and fell behind on eight minutes to a converted Max Snowden try.

But the hosts soon awoke and surged back into the game with a try from full-back Mike Lowis, following good work from Taylor – who added the conversion from the right-hand touchline.

Now dominating possession and territory, prop Brian Largenton, one of Clevedon’s players of the season, powered his way over from close range to give Taylor the simplest of conversions – and the winger continued his fine form with the boot with a 50 metre penalty on the stroke of half-time to give his side a 17-7 lead at the break.

After the interval, Ivybridge soon began to exert their dominance on the game and went into the lead with tries from Dom Loomes and Alex Hall, while Grieveson added a conversion and a penalty for a 22-17 score line.

The lead didn’t last long though, as Rory Biggins rounded off a contender for try of the season, which saw the ball pass through six sets of hand before the centre dotted down.

Taylor couldn’t convert, but did add the extras to Dean Ashfield’s try five minutes later, as the centre broke two tackles to touch down under the posts and give Clevedon a 29-22 lead with ten minutes left to play.

But Lewis Paterson added the visitor’s fourth of the afternoon following a driving maul – and Evans had the final say on proceedings, demonstrating electric pace to go almost the length of the field on 78 minutes and deny Clevedon a share of the spoils.

Clevedon finish the season in tenth place in South West One West, having been rock bottom and ten points adrift of safety at Christmas.
Their form since Christmas has seen them win 10 of 14 games in all competitions, including the Combination Vase final – and they will be hoping to carry this form into next season.

The Dinner and Dance takes place on Friday, May 8 – see Mike Thomas for tickets.