Fri 29 Nov 2024
This week Claverdon travelled over to Broadstreet for a pre-arranged League fixture on a Friday night under lights. Broadstreet are sitting one place off the top of the table, so the team knew this wasn’t going to be an easy affair. The game began with an impressive attacking set from the away side which saw them setting up camp in the Claverdon half. Claverdon cleared their lines numerous times, however, Broadstreet continued to fight back. After 20 minutes of a solid Claverdon defence, a strong carry from Broadstreet finally pushed them over the line to score. The conversion successful put the score to 7-0.
Claverdon re-grouped after a long defensive set, and switched into attacking-mode, which would see some impressive rugby unfold. The restart landed in the arms of Jimmy Hewitt, who made a dominant carry and presented the ball for the next phase, where the backs were ready and waiting. Ben Hawks quickly got the ball out, and through simple hands, ended up with Michael O’Donnell who opened the scoring for Claverdon. The kick was missed, making the score 7-5. Claverdon continued their attacking rugby after the restart by playing some well drilled backs moves, which released Calvin Lynch down the wing to step his defender and score in the corner. James Williams with the extras made it 7-12. This concluded the half with no further scores.
The confidence was high throughout the Claverdon side, and because of this, from the restart they were on the front foot again. Some impressive carries and offloads from Jack Wyatt and Charlie Wakelam made good ground, and support running from George Redwood allowed him to get over the gain line and score in the corner. The conversion missed, the score now 7-17. Broadstreet restarted and again the ball found itself in Jimmy Hewitt’s safe hands, who did exactly as before and allowed free flowing play from the break-down. The forwards and backs were all running strong lines into the Broadstreet defence, but it was James Williams who smashed through and scored under the posts. Thomas Phillips added the extras, score now 7-24.
The confidence was now so high that the restart was gathered in the Claverdon 22, and instead of clearing their lines, the decision was made to attack. Hard lines from Henry Thorneywork, and unbelievable offloads from Thomas Bicknell, freed up Thomas Phillips to break through numerous tackles, and beat his last defender, to score under the posts. He converted his own try, making the score 7-31. The try-scoring wasn’t over yet. It was Calvin Lynch who was to score the next two try’s, one after each other to bag himself a hattrick. The first was in a recovering 2-on-1, then stepping the full back to score under the posts, and second was him using his pace around the outside and diving in the corner. With only one conversion successful, the score was now 7-43.
Credit where credit is due, Broadstreet did not give up despite a number of try’s in quick succession. Their pick and go game proved too much for Claverdon, and they eventually scored. Their kicker absolutely slotted the conversion, taking the score to 14-43. Claverdon knew the half-century was only a converted try away, however, there was also only 5 minutes left on the clock. The restart was received by Charlie Wakelam who quickly offloaded to James Williams. Williams decided to play a somewhat 7s game play, taking the ball back into the Claverdon 22, however, he beat two defenders and released the ball to Thomas Phillips who saw space out on the left wing. Phillips carried the ball forwards, throws a pass over the top of two defenders to the hands of Calvin Lynch who draws his defender and offloads to Michael O’Donnell who beats two final defenders with sensational footwork and runs under the posts to score. Thomas Phillips with the conversion again, making the score 14-50. This concluded a crucial win for a Claverdon with the final score 14-50.
Claverdon would like to thank all the support who came down to watch. Hearing the “Yellow Ribbon” song after each try really made a difference and kept the energy levels high.
Next week Claverdon face Coventry Welsh away.
Report by James Kirby
