Sat 11 Nov 2023
Saturday afternoon saw Claverdon RFC’s 1st XV hosting Woodrush in the 8th Division. With just 1 league point separating the two teams, the match was anticipated to be highly contested.
Claverdon opted to kick off directly into the setting winter sun. After regaining possession almost immediately, the home side began to pile the pressure on. Due to the soft ground underfoot, the tactic was very much a “stick it up your jumper” kind of match. After several phases, the opportunity came for winger, Robbie Foster to score in the corner. Woodrush replied with increasing pressure in the Claverdon half, but some solid defensive work meant the away side came away with nothing. In a back-and-forth motion, it was then Claverdon’s turn to attack, which proved to be more clinical than their oppositions. A charge for the line allowed centre, Sam Turrell to score and to convert taking the lead to 12 points. With half-time nearing, Claverdon weren’t satisfied with the scoreline. Further carries from forwards, Harvey Skinner and Jack Wyatt brought the Lions to the opposition 5-metre line. Some quick thinking from scrum-half, Luke Sibley put fullback Hilton Garner-Jones in the corner. Once play restarted, and half-time only minutes away, a daring cross-field kick from James Williams saw Garner-Jones collect and offload to Foster, who scored to double his tally.
Once the teams re-grouped for halftime and assessed the first half performances, Claverdon looked determined to increase their lead. With almost no regard for the conditions, the Lions played excellent running rugby thanks to Michael O’Donnell and Roger Jackson - both of whom added their names to the scoresheet. A moment of individual brilliance from Garner-Jones, chipping the ball over the defensive line and collecting to score under the posts, was the highlight of the second half. A mention must also go to Robbie Foster who scored a third to secure his hat-trick for the day. The defensive resilience of Chris Glover and the rest of the Lions ensured the Woodrush score was kept to zero. The match ended 67-0 to Claverdon in front of a roaring home crowd. The Lions now look on to this weekend when they host Coventrians.
Report by Hilton Garner-Jones
