9 Dec 2007 - Nailsea & Backwell (The Ravens) U17 s 19 - Clevedon U17 s 29
The Ravens kicked off, up the slope, on a boggy pitch and with a strong wind behind them. The bigger Clevedon forwards retained possession well, moving deep into Ravens territory before releasing their speedy backs who scored the opening, unconverted, try in the corner to take a 0 ? 5 lead.
The Ravens replied with a spell of pressure in the Clevedon 22 and looked to have cleared their lines with a long kick. However fullback James Tobin demonstrated his footballing skills when he half volleyed the clearance kick, followed through at pace, Clevedon fumbled again and he was able to dribble the loose ball over the line and claim the touchdown, superbly converted by fly half Ross Pearce. Game-on at 7 ? 5 to the Ravens.
Clevedon responded with a spell of controlled play, working through several phases to suck in the Ravens cover and with men to spare, scored a good try, converted to give Clevedon a 7 ? 12 lead. The Ravens discipline was costing territory as they repeatedly drifted offside, from one such penalty Clevedon added another 3 points to open an 8 point lead.
The Ravens came back strongly, spurning a penalty opportunity to kick for the corner. From the line out Pearce burst through for the try, which he converted to give a half time score of 14 ? 15 to Clevedon.
Playing into a strong wind, kicking was always going to be difficult and the Ravens tried to play the conditions with Rugby League style pick and drives from the forwards. This was always going to be difficult against the bigger Clevedon pack and the Ravens duly conceded a couple of penalties, converted to give Clevedon a 14 - 21 lead. Next came the killer blow as the Clevedon scrum half broke from a maul on the Ravens 10 metre line, and set off at pace on a mazy run, weaving his way to the line for a superb individual score. Minutes later Clevedon once again converted their field position to points with a fine drop goal, moving the scoreboard on to 14 ? 29.
The Ravens, defiant to the end, worked their way back downfield to force an attacking 5 metre scrum. In a victory for the Ravens front row unit, hooker Tom Fletcher took a strike against the head and quick hands put centre Ali O Connor over in the corner for a well deserved try to close the game, final score 19 ? 29.
So a deserved victory to Clevedon, who played to their strengths, using their big forwards and dangerous backs to great effect. For their part, the Ravens never gave up, tackled their hearts out, competed at every phase and can feel proud of their achievement. Credit to both Clevedon and the Ravens, the coaches and supporters, a great final, played in good spirit, and a testament to the strength of local rugby that two North Somerset sides contested the final of the Bristol Combination Cup.
The Ravens replied with a spell of pressure in the Clevedon 22 and looked to have cleared their lines with a long kick. However fullback James Tobin demonstrated his footballing skills when he half volleyed the clearance kick, followed through at pace, Clevedon fumbled again and he was able to dribble the loose ball over the line and claim the touchdown, superbly converted by fly half Ross Pearce. Game-on at 7 ? 5 to the Ravens.
Clevedon responded with a spell of controlled play, working through several phases to suck in the Ravens cover and with men to spare, scored a good try, converted to give Clevedon a 7 ? 12 lead. The Ravens discipline was costing territory as they repeatedly drifted offside, from one such penalty Clevedon added another 3 points to open an 8 point lead.
The Ravens came back strongly, spurning a penalty opportunity to kick for the corner. From the line out Pearce burst through for the try, which he converted to give a half time score of 14 ? 15 to Clevedon.
Playing into a strong wind, kicking was always going to be difficult and the Ravens tried to play the conditions with Rugby League style pick and drives from the forwards. This was always going to be difficult against the bigger Clevedon pack and the Ravens duly conceded a couple of penalties, converted to give Clevedon a 14 - 21 lead. Next came the killer blow as the Clevedon scrum half broke from a maul on the Ravens 10 metre line, and set off at pace on a mazy run, weaving his way to the line for a superb individual score. Minutes later Clevedon once again converted their field position to points with a fine drop goal, moving the scoreboard on to 14 ? 29.
The Ravens, defiant to the end, worked their way back downfield to force an attacking 5 metre scrum. In a victory for the Ravens front row unit, hooker Tom Fletcher took a strike against the head and quick hands put centre Ali O Connor over in the corner for a well deserved try to close the game, final score 19 ? 29.
So a deserved victory to Clevedon, who played to their strengths, using their big forwards and dangerous backs to great effect. For their part, the Ravens never gave up, tackled their hearts out, competed at every phase and can feel proud of their achievement. Credit to both Clevedon and the Ravens, the coaches and supporters, a great final, played in good spirit, and a testament to the strength of local rugby that two North Somerset sides contested the final of the Bristol Combination Cup.