Sat 18 Nov 2023
Claverdon lose tight affair to promotion chasing Coventrians
Claverdon hosted Coventrians at Ossetts Hole Lane in what has traditionally been a nailed on home victory, with Claverdon also holding a positive played 29 won 20 record against their opponents from The Black Pad. Newly promoted Coventrians however are a much changed side, with fresh players dropping to this level meaning they sat 3rd in the table and back to back promotion surely their aspiration.
The Coventry side were physical from the outset and quickly led 6-0 before a missed tackle in the midfield allowed them to stretch that to 13-0 inside 20 minutes. Despite that, Claverdon defended well on the whole, especially considering the considerable size and weight difference between the two sides, and a clear difference of game plan. Claverdon wanting to move the ball quickly and wide, stretching the heavier Covents pack who carried hard and close to each ruck and were reluctant to move the ball outside of their 20 stone inside centre.
Ali Norman narrowed the deficit with Claverdon’s first score, crashing over in typical White Rhino fashion from close to the line following the first of three crossfield kicks from Williams to Garner-Jones who took the ball on the fly and was just stopped short of the try line. 5-13 half time.
With wind and the slope in their favour in the second half, and with supposedly a fitter more youthful side, Claverdon fancied their chances in the second half and took the lead 15-13. Williams cross-kicked to Garner-Jones again, and G-J all but scored try of the season when he chipped the onrushing full back only to be stopped a meter from the line. A quick recycle saw another crossfield in the opposition direction for Stan Lawrence to dot down. Williams added the extras and shortly slotted a penalty from bang in front.
Coventrians rallied and their big ball carriers turned up the heat and made gain line break after gain, despite Claverdon making the occasional big shot. With assistance from poor kicking and from the man in the middle, ultimately the sheer weight told when the Coventrians 12 barrelled over from 5 metres out, leaving two Claverdon defenders clinging to boot laces, and their speedy fullback finished following some slick hands in the corner. A further penalty took Covents to 28, with 1 of the 2 conversations being successful.
In true Claverdon style, with a never say die attitude, Garner-Jones topped off a Man-of-the-Match display scoring with two minutes on the clock, converted by Williams. With the final play of the game, and a scrum in centre field, Garner-Jones almost got on the outside but was bundled into touch by an outstanding cover tackle from the flanker who covered the half-width in lightening speed. Full time 22-28.
A good game of rugby played in the right spirits, with a “Rock Concert” in the bar after. Rest week before a clash against our good friends at Old Wheats on 2nd December.
Report by Jimbo
