Sat 2 Dec 2023
Claverdon’s 1stXV travelled away to Coventry on Saturday to face Old Wheatleyans. The two sides have developed a great competitive rivalry over the last two years with 2 wins a piece, so this match would provide bragging rights to whoever could muscle a win until they next meet in the New Year.
Claverdon kicked-off and immediately had the forward momentum. An early penalty deep in the Wheats half provided Sam Turrell with the opportunity to take the 3 points. Claverdon, following the restart, looked to sustain the pressure on the Wheats defence. A break from centre, Roger Jackson allowed Hilton Garner-Jones to dot down over the line. Following some solid defensive efforts from Tom Bicknell and Charlie Wakelam, Claverdon managed to hold off from conceding in the first half. A late first half try from captain, Jimbo Williams extended Claverdon’s lead, with the score reading 15-0 into halftime.
The second half was much less one-sided. Wheats immediately regained possession from their kick off, and soon after, scored an early try. Claverdon knew their first-half efforts alone, would not guarantee them a win. A series of Wheats penalties allowed Will Jackson to kick his way to the opposition half, where a solid lineout allowed for the Claverdon forwards to knock on the Wheats door. A bombardment of forwards carries culminated in Chris Glover barrelling his way over the line to extend Claverdon’s lead, and write off the early Wheats try. However, in the spirit of back and forth style rugby, Wheats came back strong. A mistake at the back of the Claverdon line meant Wheats obtained a penalty on the 5-metre, ultimately allowing them to score, and claw back some points. With the game feeling like the next try could either be make or break for Claverdon, George Redwood broke the line on his wing and using his pace, finished nicely in the corner. Claverdon, with 10 minutes to go, and beginning to feel comfortable, Roger Jackson added his name to the try scoring list - a warm relief for the Lions on the coldest day of the year!
The match ended 32-12 to Claverdon, who now look on to Saturday when they host Uttoxeter.
Report by Hilton Garner-Jones
