Sat 1 Mar 2025
The sun was shining down brightly at Ossets Hole Lane, the perfect conditions for not only a game of rugby, but also a tribute to the anniversary of the passing of one of Claverdon's greats; Mr Basil Sayer. Claverdon hosted Old Wheats in a fixture that has historically been a competitive one. This fixture was to be nothing short of that.
Claverdon started the first half by camping in the opposition's half. Strong carries from Charlie Wakelam, Thomas Bicknell and Luke Sibley gained crucial territory. An excellent kick from Sam Turrell off the back of a penalty gave Claverdon the optimum position of 5m from the Wheats try line. The lineout turned into a maul, and the forwards marched over the try-line almost unopposed to allow Jack Wyatt to dot it down. Sam Turrell nudged the extras, making the score 7-0. Wheats came out the blocks looking for revenge, however, the Claverdon defence was strong and kept knocking Wheats back away from the Claverdon 22m.
A loose ball at a ruck was picked up by Claverdon who continued multiple phases of play to take the attack from their own half, up to the Wheats 5m. Quick thinking by scrum-half, Michael Jay, saw a gap and dived over the line to score. Sam Turrell with the extras again, bringing the score to 14-0. Claverdon were again on the front-foot from the restart, gaining territory up to the Wheats 22m. Unfortunately a crucial pass didn’t make it to hand and provided Wheats with a let off in the form of a scrum. Wheats used this opportunity wisely and had strong carriers all the way up to the Claverdon 22m. They continued their attacking phases and ultimately scored in the corner. The conversion was missed, making the score 14-5. The restart gave Claverdon possession, and they utilised this well, stringing phases together again to take the attack up to the Wheats 5m line, however, a crucial turn-over allowed Wheats to clear their lines.
Claverdon were now attacking from the half-way line, and despite strong lines from Jack Wyatt and Sam Turrell, Wheats again were able to defend and clear their lines. Wheats gained a penalty on the Claverdon 22m for a defender in at the side of a ruck, and they opted for the posts. The kick was successful, making the score 14-8. That drew the half to a close, the score remaining 14-8.
After many exchanges of possession between the teams after the restart, it was Wheats who broke through the usually solid Claverdon defence, to score in the corner. The conversion was successful, which made the score 14-15. Claverdon knew that with just 15 minutes on the clock here, they needed to dig deep and find another gear. The restart was handled well by Wheats who continued their barrage of attacking phases, making headway into the Claverdon half. However, Wheats gave away a penalty on the Claverdon 22m which allowed Sam Turrell to clear the lines. After Claverdon retained possession at the line-out, carries with intent from Charlie Wakelam, and debutant Dan Hadley, gave Claverdon the front foot. Further attacking lines from George Redwood, Jack Wyatt and Josh Smallwood gained Claverdon crucial territory, taking the play up to the Wheats 22m. A penalty here for a high tackle gave Claverdon a good base to kick from. Sam Turrell stepped up to nudge it through, the score now 17-15. After the restart, Wheat’s attack was yet again in full force. They made solid ground up to the Claverdon 5m, and were awarded a penalty for a questionably off-side infringement which saw Claverdon down to 14 men. Wheats opted for the kick, however, this was missed.
After Claverdon restarted, the Wheats attack came back strong again, and various scrums and phases of play later gave Wheats another penalty on the Claverdon 22m, which they kicked successfully. The score was now 17-18. For the second time Claverdon knew that now with only 5 minutes on the clock, it was now or never to step it up and put in a performance Basil would be proud of. You could tell from the restart that 1-15 on the field knew what this meant. Claverdon stole possession from Wheats which allowed Thomas Bicknell and Charlie Wakelam to make excellent ground up to the Wheats 22m. Further carries from Jack Barwell and George Redwood put Claverdon on the Wheats 5m. A quick thinking Sam Turrell threw a show-and-go to break the line and score under the posts. He converted his own try to make the score
24-18. That concluded the game, the final score 24-18.
As a club we’d like to send our condolences to Old Wheats for the unexpected loss of one of their true clubmen. We now look forward to our next fixture, which is against Broadstreet 2’s at home on the 8th March, with a 3:00pm kick off.
Report by James Kirby
