Sat 22 Feb 2025
In an intense rugby match, Claverdon showed early dominance against Birmingham Solihull, only to see their lead slip away in the final moments.
The game started with a bang as Henry Thorneywork's storming kick return set the stage for the first try. A perfectly timed offload to Luke Taylor saw him crash over the try line, igniting Claverdon's momentum.
"It was the first time I have seen a Claverdon pack show such physicality," remarked Coach Lewis, reflecting on the team's early prowess. The Bees were given no room to breathe as Claverdon asserted control.
Tom Bicknell extended Claverdon's lead, skilfully controlling the ball at the back of a scrum to push over from 7 metres out. The third try followed, with Luke Sibley executing a well-run first-phase attack, sprinting between the covering fullback and winger to score.
At 21-0, Claverdon appeared to be on a smooth path to victory. However, Birmingham Solihull proved resilient, capitalising on a catalogue of mistakes and penalties from Claverdon. The second half saw Birmingham Solihull dominate possession, scoring 26 unanswered points as Claverdon faltered.
With only minutes remaining and Claverdon trailing by 5 points, Mike Jay seemed to have rescued the day with a try following sustained pressure. But to the surprise of both teams, the try was adjudged held up over the line. The controversial decision sealed the game, ending in a disappointing day for Claverdon.
Claverdon will look to make amends when they host Old Wheatleyans on 1st March.
Report by Mike Jay
