Sat 25 Jan 2020
A tough choice through the week for team selection with several key players unavailable lead to players in different positions and a limited bench. Having lost earlier in the season away at Bromyard, Claverdon knew they faced a tough afternoon.
Winning the toss Claverdon faced the slight hill for the first half and revived the kick. Knowing they had to stay out of their half the plan was to play out. After 3 quick penalties from Bromyard Claverdon were able to achieve this. Using the boot of Sam Turrell the Lions were soon applying pressure. Carries from Tom Hudson and Chris Glover put Clav deep in the Bromyard 22. Further penalties soon lead to a yellow card and 3 points to Clav. 3-0
Now down to 14 men Bromyard soon upped their tempo knowing they had to keep hold of the ball while they were a man down. Solid defence from Matt Dunster and the rest of the pack kept wave after wave of attack’s at bay. After soaking up the pressure Claverdon soon forced the knock on and were able to clear.
Ben Webster was causing chaos at the Bromyard lineout resulting in several steals and mistakes, handing the ball back to the home side. Step in fly half Mike Jay showed his all round ability to link up with the back line. Tom Johnson found himself cutting through a gap to put Clav on the front foot once again. With the Bromyard defence now stretched Jay soon put Captain James Barton through a whole for a free run in. However the skipper was brought back due to the final pass drifting forward.
Solid scrums from both packs gave a good contest for the 80 minutes. With Bromyard securing their own ball they kicked deep into the Clav half. After a fast and physical first half Clav saw out the clock to the half time whistle and Jack Johnson nudged the ball into touch.
Words at half time would prove vital in the next 40 as score board could fall either way.
Claverdon once again started the brighter of the 2 side. New lad Hilton G-Jones showed his fast feet by dancing down the touch line. Linking up with Joe Turrell the young lads gave Clav the advantage. The Lions were awarded another penalty centre field after a high tackle. Turrell stepping up for the long range kick narrowly pushed it wide. Moments later Clav were awarded a penalty in a very similar spot. Barton opted for the corner this time, Turrell redeeming himself with an inch perfect kick. Steve Girmsley found Webster once again. Popped to Johnson the scrum half showed his pace and vision to scurry through the two packs to score up touched. 8-0
It was now Bromyard turn once more and having kept hold of the ball for 20 minutes they soon came away with 5 points. Strong carries through their bigger forwards began to draw in the Clav defence. Falling short on one side the Bromyard back line pushed the ball through the hands to score in the corner.
With their tails now up in the air Bromyard continued to apply pressure and were soon awarded a penalty in front of the sticks to which the Bromyard fly half took the 3 points. 8-8
From the restart Clav knew the time was running out and that anything within kicking range would be helpful. Keeping to their discipline Claverdon defended smartly. A strong carry from Luke Rogers after an individual turnover gave Claverdon territory. After a fast pace attacked from replacement James Williams Bromyard were soon scattered across the pitch. A final penalty occurring at a ruck gave Clav the opportunity or the win. Up stepped Williams to split the posts and put Clav in front. 11-8
With minutes left on the clock Claverdon knew they just needed to keep Bromyard pinned in their half. Bromyard knew they ha to keep hold of the ball and run it out from deep, the Lions defence once again held strong and forced a final knock on, which brought with it the final whistle.
An exciting high tempo game from both sides gave the spectators a good afternoon down at Ossetts Hole Lane. A special mention to Bromyard who travelled the hour long journey to put on a great show that could have gone either way.
By James barton
