Sat 29 Jan 2022
Claverdon RFC took a big step towards the Midlands 4 West (South) league title on Saturday, with a comprehensive win over third placed Bedworth RFC.
With only two points separating the teams in the reverse fixture, it looked set to be a closely fought game. However, in a manner similar to last week’s performance against Old Wheatleyans, Claverdon rushed into an early lead with three quick tries.
The first came from a set piece on Bedworth’s 22m line. A clean ball off the top off the lineout from jumper Ben Husthwaite released Claverdon’s back line, where full back Alex Grove found a gap in the midfield for his first try. A few minutes later winger George Redwood created the second, as he beat his opposite man out wide and provided the final pass for Grove to go under the posts. Chris Calcott then joined in on the action, running a clever line in midfield to scythe through the Bedworth defence and gallop home. Calcott converted all three to take Claverdon into a promising 21-0 lead.
Bedworth were then able to hit back with a try of their own. Utilising the strength of their forward pack, they drove over from short-range following several pick and go phases. The Bedworth response was short lived however, as Claverdon regained their 21-point lead shortly before the half time whistle. A tap penalty in the Bedworth half was driven forward by the charging Steve Grimsley. A quick recycle of the ball and Grove was in for his first half hattrick, stepping inside a flat-footed defence to score. Calcott continued his perfect first half kicking performance to take Claverdon into a 28-7 half time lead.
Perhaps spurred on by the memory of nearly wasting an 18 point lead the previous week, Claverdon seemed to come out in the second half with added motivation. Almost immediately a strong scrum led by loosehead Tom Hudson put the back line on the front foot, where Claverdon went wide again. Redwood did well to beat his opposite winger and score in the corner. Calcott then slotted the difficult kick from near the touch line.
The impressive Redwood subsequently had a hand in two further tries. The first displaying quick hands to put Charlie Byrd in space to score. And then, beating his defender once again after Claverdon utilised the blind side from another scrum.
Bedworth once again bravely responded with a try of their own, attacking from a quick penalty and burrowing over to score. However, Claverdon were to have the last say, when Robbie Foster utilised his pace to claim the final try of the game.
Claverdon now have a few weeks break from the league, with their next league game coming at home against Chaddesley Corbett on 19th February.
Report by Mike Jay
