Sat 8 Nov 2025
Claverdon travelled to Coventry Welsh on Saturday and, despite a sluggish first half, produced a dominant second-half performance to secure an emphatic 50–23 victory.
The visitors flew out of the blocks, controlling possession well in the opening minutes and earning the game’s first score. However, a series of uncharacteristic handling errors and lapses in concentration soon invited Welsh back into the game. Coventry Welsh capitalised, turning pressure into points and taking control for much of the first half.
Head Coach Lewis Clarke was left frustrated on the touchline as his side struggled to maintain their usual composure with ball in hand, missing several scoring opportunities. Claverdon managed to stay within touching distance thanks to a crucial interception try from Jimbo Williams, who coasted in for a memorable 70-metre score. The sides went into the break with Coventry Welsh narrowly ahead, 13–12.
The halftime message from Clarke was simple: stay positive and trust the systems. The response was immediate. Claverdon returned to the pitch with renewed energy, shifting through the gears and applying relentless pressure on the Welsh defence. Quick, clinical attacking phases saw James Gibney and Calvin Lynch cross early in the second half, giving Claverdon the momentum they’d been missing.
From there, the tries came thick and fast. Calvin Lynch ran riot on the wing, completing a superb second-half hat-trick to underline his side’s attacking prowess. With the pack now firmly on top, Claverdon executed a well-rehearsed lineout move from deep inside Welsh’s 22 — veteran Steve “Gunner” Grimsley grounding the ball at the back of a powerful maul to cap a dominant forward effort.
Claverdon’s second-half display showcased the composure, fitness, and structure that have defined their season so far. After a shaky start, they finished in full control to take a deserved 23–50 win away from home.
Report by Mike Jay
