Sat 4 Oct 2025
Claverdon RFC welcomed Bromsgrove’s 2nd XV on Saturday afternoon in their first home league fixture of the season. Both Claverdon’s team and supporting crowd anticipated a fierce battle, having seen the two dominant league wins from Bromsgrove prior to this meeting.
Claverdon started well with some strong running rugby from Henry Thorneywork, who broke the line on the first time of asking. Stan Lawrence was there in support to finish off Thorneywork’s good work to claim Claverdon’s first points of the day. Fly-half, Luke Sibley added 2 points with the conversion despite the windy conditions. Bromsgrove responded well, scoring within minutes of Claverdon’s try. However, the missed kick meant Claverdon edged it slightly on the scoreboard. This didn’t matter though, as 10 minutes later, Bromsgrove continued to play with quick ball. A series of Claverdon penalties kept welcoming Bromsgrove back into the home side’s half, eventually culminating in another try for the Boars. A series of back-and-forth possession and territory made for entertaining viewing for the crowd. Before the stroke of halftime, Sibley continued to stun with some individual brilliance. The show-and-go from first receiver bamboozled the opposition defence, allowing him to dot over the line.
Claverdon went into the second half 14-19 down, but still very much in the game. The wind continued to challenge, but the determined Lions pressed on. Strong carries from Jack Wyatt and Will Thorneywork meant that Claverdon had great momentum. Sibley, steering the ship at fly-half, replicated his first half try to give Claverdon the edge. However, in the back-and-forth nature of the game, Bromsgrove retaliated. With the score set to 21-24, Claverdon needed one more killer blow. This came late in the game from centre, Gabe Ball. A well worked backs move allowed Ball to dive over the line, giving Claverdon the edge. Sibley slotted the conversion to make it 28-24. In the final play of the game Bromsgrove looked dangerous and showed that they were not going to give up. A failed attempt at a turnover from Claverdon enabled the Boars to press forward and score in the corner much to the home crowd’s dismay. The final score read 29-28.
Report by Hilton Garner-Jones
