Sat 11 Oct 2025
Claverdon travelled away to Bournville on Saturday afternoon in their fourth league game of the season. Bournville II had recorded some strong wins already this season so a big effort was required from the Lions. Claverdon struck first with winger, James Gibney spinning over the line from a nudge through on the Bournville 22. Fly-half, Luke Sibley took the conversion from the touchline to add 2 points. 20 minutes later, Bournville, after a series of back and forth possession, gained their first try of the day through a powerful driving maul. Both sides appeared to be motivated, and with a strong presence of travelling Claverdon supporters, the Lions knew they had the quality to claim victory.
Not long after the restart, Claverdon took advantage of a penalty decision right in front of the Bournville posts. Sibley stepped up and confidently added the three additional points. Shortly after, Bournville conceded a penalty through a high tackle, which Claverdon capitalised on immediately. A well-worked three phases resulted in smooth hands from the Claverdon backs, giving Gibney one of his easier tries to date and his second of the day.
The Bournville fly-half kicked off for the restart which James Williams took and passed on to flanker, Will Grant. Grant broke the line immediately and with an instant turn of pace, skated round the backfield Bournville defence and emphatically diving over the line to complete an 80-metre “try of the season” contender. With all the momentum with Claverdon, Bournville impressively clawed one try back before the half, once again using their behemoth pack to maul their way over the line. The teams went into half time with the score reading 14-20 to Claverdon.
Bournville started strong in the second half. Two tries in fairly quick succession brought the score to 26-20. The final 20 minutes of the match were hard fought with Claverdon knowing a converted try was required to take the lead. A creative link up between Sibley and winger, Hilton Garner-Jones exposed an out of position Bournville player. Sibley put a kick through which Garner-Jones chased and caught, then weaved his way through the scrambling defence, scoring his first of the day. Sibley added the two points to take Claverdon back into the lead, but the fly-half wasn’t done with his contributions for the day. Shortly after the restart, Claverdon piled on further pressure culminating in Sibley darting through the defence and putting his name to a try as well. Bournville came back with some possession in the Claverdon 22. However, two crucial steals at line-out from Tom Bicknell kept the threat at bay. With the Bournville comeback becoming less and less of a possibility, Claverdon laid the final blow with yet another crossfield kick to Garner-Jones who dotted over the line in the final play of the game. The final score read 26-39 to Claverdon.
Report by Hilton Garner-Jones
