| Fixture Update |
 STOP PRESSThe Wednesday match against Barton Hill has been postponed and will probably be played on the 30th!!! ....and so it goes on and on and on. The other semi final game is between Avonmouth and Thornbury. The promotion play off date for the league runners up has been scheduled for the 26th April 2003 and will be against Swanage & Wareham. |
| Congratulations |
| Congratulations to Dings for winning promotion from South West 1 to National League 3. They've obviously worked very hard to achieve this and are now the most senior club in the Bristol area with the exception of the Shoguns. Good luck next season boys. The South West 1 table and stats can be found here Congratulations also to Gordano for securing promotion to Western Counties North next season and they did it with a couple of games in hand. Good luck next season and in the Combination Cup Plate Final on Thursday against Aretians. |
| Who is this? |
The local press were out in full on Saturday to watch Clevedon give the Tics a lesson in running rugby. Ace sports journalist Piers McBride, caught all of the action on his state-of-the-art digital camera, but someone should've told the old fella that a darkroom is no longer required to look at them. RTFM!! Get the local Mercury for his report. |
| Vice Presidents & Sponsors Day |
 On Saturday 12th April, 13:00, there will be a lunch for all VP's and Sponsors. It promises to be an enjoyable reunion of the old and young with a few speeches to boot. Please let Paul Squires know if you want to attend for catering purposes. Alternatively, just turn up and go hungry!! See you there in your number ones. |
| Unlucky Mary's |
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Commiserations must go to St Mary's after losing the Powergen Intermediate Cup final against Hertford. They lost 31 - 16 and by all accounts (The Green Un) they had the chances to win it, but failed to take them. Still, it must've been a great day out for everyone and something for them to remember for a long time to come. At least Gloucester kept the West Country on the map by winning the big one after Exeter narrowly lost as well. Visit the St Mary's site for a full report. |
| Brad's 21st |
 Young Bradley Kemp and a few of his mates celebrating his recent 21st caused a lot of worry within the club. The committee were concerned that they were showing far too much of their feminine side and that it wouldn't look good in the rugby press if it were to get out. With a double header weekend coming up they'd better find their male side PDQ! |
| Yatton v Spartans |
 There were no games at the Vale on Saturday. The 2xv match was called off by Avonmouth, so a little trip down the road to Yatton provided some entertainment at least. An enjoyable VP's lunch and a couple of Stofords cider were followed by a very close match in which Yatton failed to make the most of their chances. They were leading 13-5 with about 15 minutes to go and just got edged out by a late Spartans rally. It was a game they should've won had they kicked for position late on and spun the ball wide to the fast boys. Nevermind, fourth position in Western Counties North is a great achievement given that no one gave them a prayer went they got promoted last season. The league table can be found here. |
| Prop Idol |
Mike Lowis won Bristol's round of the Prop Idol contest and a chance to join London Broncos for a month long trial. His first outing was on Sunday 2nd February and a full write up can be found on the London Broncos site. He managed to get a game and the Clevedon selection committee now await his final decision with nervous anticipation. Good luck to you Mike, whatever your decision is - just buy us all a pint when you start earning megadosh!! |
| Broken Posts |
Investigations are underway to find the culprits who broke crossbars on both pitches on Saturday, 25th January. With the advances in forensic science these days, it is hoped to find these low lifes soon. If you look closely at the photo you'll see some telltale fingerprints that will prove useful in the hunt for the perpetrators. If you know anything about the incident, please let us know. |
| Guess Who??? |
 Yep, you've got it right!! Clevedon are playing St. Mary's away in the quarter final of the Powergen Intermediate Cup on the 22nd February 2003, exactly two weeks after playing them away in the league. There goes that weekend away oop Norrth. Nevermind, I hear Winterbourne is very nice at this time of year. The full draw can be found here on the RFU site. |
| Powergen Intermediate Cup |
| Clevedon are at home to Canterbury in the 6th round (last 16) of this cup on 18th January 2003 when they are scheduled to play Crediton away. Success here will put Clevedon into the quarter finals and it is hoped that the team will be well supported. Canterbury are in London Division One, a league level above Clevedon, so Clevedon will have a hard task ahead of them, but one that is definitely not beyond them. Visit the Canterbury website here:www.cantrugby.co.uk For more information from the RFU website, click here. Kick Off 14:00 Kick Off 14:00 Kick Off 14:00 |
| Colts Match Report |
| Clevedon 7 Taunton 7 Mark Hawkes reports on match in which the Clevedon young 'uns played really well against a side full of Somerset players. Perhaps this result will encourage the lads to greater things next year. |
| 2nd XV Match Report |
| Chew Valley II 52 Clevedon II 14 Rob Fielder reports on a match that Chew Valley trained very hard for. Three weeks of work to avoid another 80-0 whacking worked well for them making the overall score 94-52 in Clevedon's favour!! Has Ross Brace got a groin??Find out in the report. |
| 3rd XV Match Report |
| N&B II 12 Clevedon III 12 Will Stonier reports on a what sounds like a fun game, particularly for John Evans |
| Yatton v Clevedon 1972 |
 When you grow old and your balls go cold and the end of your dick turns blue, when it bends in the middle like a one string fiddle you can tell a tale or two. And a tale to you I'll tell, of Clevedon and Yatton ... read the cuttings and find out, the wait will be worth it. |
| Powergen Intermediate Cup |
| Clevedon are at home to Canterbury in the 6th round (last 16) of this cup on 18th January 2003 when they are scheduled to play Crediton away. Canterbury are currently lying 3rd from bottom in the London One league. Keynsham are at home to Hertford who 4th in London One and St Mary's are at home to Haywards Heath who are 3rd in the same league. For more information from the RFU website, click here.
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| Powergen Intermediate Cup |
| After beating St Ives on the 30th November, Clevedon have reached the fifth round (last 32) of this cup that now includes clubs from London. They have drawn Newton Abbot at home on the 21st December 2002. Kick Off 14:00 Kick Off 14:00 Kick Off 14:00 | ||
| John Davis | ||
Regretfully, I have to report that John Davis died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning at 6:00am, 23rd November 2002 after a series of strokes over the last two or three years. Our heart felt sympathies are with his wife Sue and family. Sue, despite the grief she must've been feeling, visited the rugby club to watch the Taunton game on Saturday and must have drawn great solace from being surrounded by the many friends that were there. Until three weeks ago, John also watched the Clevedon games and still continued to enjoy a pint or two in the clubhouse after the matches. He was still passionate about his rugby and was able to provide some lively comments about the game. John was without doubt a great character, friend and stalwart of Clevedon Rugby Club. He was a committee member for years, often provoking long discussions well into the night over some point or other. A Gloucester boy through and through he was never afraid to voice his opinions both on and off the field! He played his rugby in the robust style that all Gloucester boys do and captained the first XV for a number of years. When his playing career was over he did some refereeing and became Chairman of the Bristol Combination. He had several party pieces, including the tin tray, beer and egg trick (shell and all), cleaning or leaving his false teeth in your beer, jokes by the dozen, meat and all the trimmings meals after matches, lively discussion and above all a devious sense of fun. You came into the clubhouse with muddy boots on at your peril, dogs weren't tolerated and his favourite line when confronted with some young oik was "I don't mind kids, but I can't stand cheeky b*******!". He had a fearsome right hook and had a grip of iron. He enjoyed a good game of cards and was easily lead astray if a pint was involved, blaming it on his weak-willed nature! The clubhouse was his second home, he bled blue and gold and he didn't tolerate fools gladly. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and family. If anyone has any stories about John, please use the email address above. John's funeral will be held at St. Johns church in Clevedon on Friday, 29th November 2002 at 12:30pm followed by his cremation in Weston Super Mare for family only. Drinks and nibbles afterwards at Clevedon Rugby Club - where else!!. | ||
| Powergen Intermediate Cup |
Clevedon have drawn St Ives in the 4th round of the cup and are away on Saturday 30th November. Clevedon, who haven't played St Ives for a few years will be travelling down to Cornwall in the early morning and staying overnight at a hotel yet to be named. If you are interested in going, please contact anyone in the know to book your place on the coach. The Torquay game will be rearranged at a later date. |
| Western Counties Shield |
 Somerset President, Clive MacDonald presents Captain Jeff Durant with the Western Counties North winners shield. After a bit of waffling by Chairman Paul Squires, the ceremony took place amid huge cheers and celebration. The Somerset President thanked Clevedon for their usual hospitality and kindness and said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the local derby match with Hornets. Main sponsor Russell CONSTRUCTION, were thanked by Clevedon RFC President, Richard Newton for supplying the necessary funds for the first team kit over the last few seasons. Apparently, the new shirts are made of some new high tech fibre that increases the speed of players by giving them a more aerodynamic path through the air. Everyone that is except player profiler Tony Dauncey, who defies all the laws of science by being the only species of Orca to be playing rugby. However, the shirt does help him swim a lot faster - who luvs ya Tonedo? |
| The Combination Cup | ||
Clevedon won the CableCom Combination Cup for the first time in recent history by beating St. Mary's Old Boys 8-6 on the 10th May 2002. | ||
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| The WCN Shield | ||
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| Match Reports |
| Clevedon 17 Weston super Mare 41 This was an exciting, outstanding Somerset Cup final with Clevedon the underdogs against a team from two leagues above. Clevedon took an early lead through a fine individual try by Tom O'Rourke, which split the Weston defence wide open. The size and power of the Weston team were the deciding factors in the end, but Clevedon never gave up and scored three tries from their open, running brand of rugby. Hard luck boys, let's get into South West One instead! |
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| Clevedon 55 Torquay 5 A loose pass gifts the Tics 5 points. |
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| Hornets 13 Clevedon 34 This match had an air of controversy before it even kicked off. It was nearly postponed because of a sun baked surface but the referee told both sets of players that he would only stop the game in the event of too many head and ground collisions. Thankfully there weren't any so the game finished as normal. However, if he had said grazed knees and elbows then it would been stopped in the first 10 minutes!! Clevedon completed the treble over Hornets who had been hit by a series of injuries the preceding week. They scored some stunning tries in the hot and dusty conditions and this win takes them 3 points clear at the top of the table. Clevedon can now look forward to completing their league season with their first home game in four weeks against Torquay. Having watched a tough, winning series of games on the road, the travelling faithful will welcome buying a pint or two in their own clubhouse. |
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| Stroud 27 Clevedon 29 Clevedon started this match with a lot of enthusiasm and spirit but it soon proved to be a bit of an effort to keep going in the bright sunshine. Suffering from the after affects of Wednesday night's game against Keynsham, Clevedon struggled to cope with a fresh and determined Stroud side. The half time whistle couldn't come soon (50 minutes!!) enough. A little drink and a bit of rest while coach Hanlon read them the usual story, soon sorted them out. They spent most of the second half in Stroud territory and gradually got the upper hand, leading 29 - 20 with a minute of injury time remaining. The travelling faithful were relieved to hear the final whistle (44 minutes) and could begin to enjoy themselves without worry. The players were a bit chuffed as well, especially as it meant that a play off place had been secured. Well done boys. |
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| Keynsham 17 Clevedon 39 Clevedon won this Blackthorm Somerset Cup semi-final in breathtaking style and now meet WSM in the final at Bridgwater on Easter Sunday, 20th April, KO 15:00. Playing Keynsham, a team from the league above, Clevedon knew they were going to have a hard match on their hands. The first five minutes saw Clevedon go 3 points adrift but then they sparked into life with three dazzling tries and a penalty to lead 22-3 after 25 minutes. Keynsham hit back with tries either side of the break to get within 5 points. With 30 minutes left on the clock it appeared that Keynsham had the upper hand and would score again. However, this wasn't the case as Clevedon had other ideas and began moving the ball around at pace to bewilder their opponents, eventually scoring three more tries. Well done to Cap'n Durant and his merry men for another great, great match and for reaching another final for the third year running. It's back to reality on Saturday, away to Stroud in the league. |
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| Crediton 7 Clevedon 13 Clevedon won their second league match on the road this month by defeating a very uncompromising Crediton team who thought they had a very good chance of defeating league leaders at home. They very nearly pulled it off but could not cope with the superb defensive display by the entire Clevedon team who kept them at bay with some fierce tackling. Once again Clevedon showed their true grit when up against it in a tight game. The next league game is Stroud away on Saturday 29th March. |
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| Brixham 26 Clevedon 31 Clevedon started a month of tough away games by beating Brixham with a try in injury time and went back to the top of the table as a result. After a scintillating first half Clevedon had to dig deep in the second to secure the win. |
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| Clevedon 58 Bristol Harlequins 17 Bristol Harlequins 17 Clevedon romped through to the next round of the Bristol Combination Cup, playing wide rugby at every opportunity. A couple hat tricks, a few old stagers and the brilliant weather all combined to make this third double header weekend another successful one. |
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| Clevedon 16 Hornets 13 Clevedon were always in front in this local derby but very nearly gave it way after Hornet's scored twice in injury time. Both teams and the officials had been on league duty the day before and it showed. Play was lack-lustre on a pitch that was very sticky after heavy overnight rain. Clevedon completed their double-header weekend by going through to the Somerset Cup semi-finals against either Keynsham or Old Reds scheduled (though not confirmed) for March 23rd on a neutral ground, possibly at Gordano. Clevedon play Hornets away on Saturday 8th March in the league. |
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| Clevedon 22 Exmouth 13 Clevedon played superb rugby to remain at the top of the table. The Exmouth giants brought plenty of support, which stood silent for most of the first half after Clevedon ran up 17 points without reply within twenty minutes. The half time score was 17 - 10 after Exmouth clawed their way back into contention. The second half proved a more even affair with Exmouth failing to break the Clevedon defensive line and only managing a penalty to a Steve Johnson try. Clevedon play Hornets at home on Sunday 2nd March in the Somerset Cup quarter final, which will be a tough test of fitness and resolve for everyone. Good luck to Mary's in the semi-final and we wish them well (it hurt to say that!!) in the final. |
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| St Mary's 39 Clevedon 15 This Powergen Intermediate quarter final was exhausting and ultimately very disappointing for Clevedon. In the lead with 25 minutes to go and 15-14 up you'd have thought Clevedon might have sneaked it by hanging on in there. But no, they tired from the huge effort of trying to keep the Mary's seven at bay. Mary's stuck the ball up their jumpers, refused to kick away possession and trundled up the field to within penalty kicking distance. They did this so well they scored 25 points without reply to leave the Clevedon team and the travelling faithful shell-shocked and thoroughly dejected. Even the England result couldn't shake the gloom but hopefully things will be put right this double-header weekend against Exmouth and Hornets. Good luck to Mary's in the semi-final and we wish them well (it hurt to say that!!) in the final. |
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| St Mary's 34 Clevedon 7 Mike Thomas reports on this top of the table clash that saw St Mary's do the league double over Clevedon in emphatic style. With the half time score 8-7 in Mary's favour, Clevedon looked well set to reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, a few too many errors and a couple of unlucky incidents put Clevedon out of the match with 20 minutes to go. Playing catch-up rugby when you're not on the top of your game cost Clevedon dear. However, there is one small crumb of comfort though, Clevedon are still top of the table by a point although St Mary's have a game in hand. Next Sunday (16th February) Combe Down visit the vale for a Somerset Cup match. |
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| Clevedon 39 Cleve 12 There was a lot of frantic activity at the Vale on Saturday morning when a team of volunteers repaired the 1st and 2nd team posts. Late last Saturday night some amoeba brained oiks broke both crossbars and it took until Thursday to find replacements from Staddons, a CRFC sponsor. They were painted and fitted with 3 hours to spare - you know these little jobs take the most time!! It was a right pain in the bum. Anyway, with the good news that last week's Matson result will stand, adding 2 points to Clevedon's tally, Mike Thomas reports on match that had an explosive start with Clevedon 17-0 in the lead within 10 minutes of the start. Cleve were shell shocked and it took sometime before they started playing, but Clevedon weathered the storm to only concede 12 points. The pitch was firm but sticky and fortunately it had been rolled just before the freezing weather on Thursday and Friday. This provided the perfect playing surface for the speed merchants like big John "Our John" Pearce. |
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| Clevedon 47 Matson 13 Mike Thomas reports on match that only lasted 64 minutes when the game was abandoned by the referee. The first half saw a Matson player red-carded for dissent and the game continued in a hard but fair way until the second half. The mass brawl (the only one) didn't last very long (do they ever?) but the referee felt that it was best for the players safety to call it a day. The result is not valid until the league have investigated. Meanwhile, Clevedon must concentrate on next weeks match at home to Cleve. |
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| Clevedon 33 Canterbury 13 Mike Thomas reports on a match that had the added ingredient of no pre-match intelligence. It didn't seem to worry anyone except the spectators though who were wondering how the match would turn out. They needn't of fretted as Clevedon played with power, pace and pashion and were winners when the final whistle blew. They now wait for the quarter final draw, the result of which will be posted on the RFU website this week. We hope they had a safe and not too long a journey home. For the Canterbury report, please visit their website here:www.cantrugby.co.uk |
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| Clevedon 41 Gloucester Old Boys 0 Mike Thomas reports reports on a match that kicked off 15 minutes late because of the correct decision to play at the school due to a partially frozen Coleridge Vale pitch. It was bright, sunny and cold and the pitch was lush and soft enabling Clevedon to play without the worry of turning over an ankle, which they did in fine style. |
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| Hornets P Clevedon P Due to the adverse weather conditions the Hornets game was postponed until a later date. Next week Clevedon are at home to Gloucester Old Boys who are on something of a roll at the moment having beaten St.Mary's last week and Matson this week. It isn't going to be easy and with Exmouth losing this week to Brixham, who did the double over them, Clevedon remain a point clear of Mary's at the top of the table. There are only ten league games left and the title race is still wide open. |
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| Clevedon 42 Newton Abbot 3 Mike Thomas reports on yet another scintillating match that defied the wet, muddy and slippery conditions. Five disallowed tries and one blatant late tackle had the crowd going wild - all this and more added to a very enjoyable afternoon at the Vale. | ||
| Clevedon 15 Stroud 12 Mike Thomas reports on an entertaining and very close match played in twilight conditions. Come the end, the only thing visible was the ref's bright yellow shirt. | ||
| St Ives 0 Clevedon 8 Mike Thomas reports on an entertaining match played in terrible conditions that really gave Clevedon a test. The bus left Clevedon at 08:30 for the long journey down south to St Ives. After a brief stop at Exeter services for breakfast the team arrived at 12:30 for the 14:15 kickoff, plenty of time to get acclimatised and warmed up for the game. The travelling faithful arrived shortly afterwards and were in fine voice when the game started. Certain grey-beards continued their imbibing and on several occasions tempted the home touch judge with a tipple or two. It worked because we won!! | ||
| Clevedon 34 Taunton 28 Mike Thomas reports on another win that sees Clevedon go top of the table. After a minutes silence in honour of John Davis the game started a a good old pace. It was an open and error strewn game, which was a credit to both teams despite the conditions. Clevedon were the ones happy to hear the final whistle because they felt they themselves down on the day and the result was too close. You're too hard on yourselves boys. Keep training, talking and it'll be alright! | ||
| Clevedon 15 Hornets 6 The was the first match with Hornets for over two years and was the close contest everyone was expecting. A soggy Mike Thomas wrote his report from beneath a sheltering tree and he was delighted to see Clevedon pull through from being 6 points adrift for the first 35 minutes of the first half. The rain and wind were unrelenting, but thankfully it wasn't freezing cold. The photos show exactly what the conditions were like and appear to make some of the action a bit artsyfarty. | ||
| Gloucester Old Boys 14 Clevedon 29 The first away trip to a Gloucester side this season was a successful affair and the result delighted the Travelling Wilbury's who had an average age sixty. Mike Thomas has written his weekly report, which sees him continue his love affair with Durant and Pearce, while reporting objectively on the match as a whole. Against another big pack of forwards, the Clevedon eight won more than enough ball for the girls play around with who bambozzled everyone, including themselves.Jonny Higman has provided loads more excellent photos. |
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| Clevedon 70 Nailsea & Backwell 13 This local derby was the first cup match between these two sides. Nailsea & Backwell had disposed of Yatton in the previous round to set up this scintillating second round Powergen Intermediate cup tie. Mike Thomas describes the match that saw N&B demolished after the first 25 minutes, but who gave Clevedon a real run for their money right until the end. Derek Lilley provides some scoringly good photos as well. | ||
| Clevedon 29 Crediton 5 Mike Thomas gives his usual report on a match in which the prolific Steve Johnson continues his impressive start to the season, receiving the MOTM awards from both coaches. There are a few photos from local historian Derek Lilley, who has recently acquired a brand new, top of the range, state of the art, all singing, all dancing digital camera. He's got to spend his pension on something I suppose! | ||
| Cleve 17 Clevedon 33 Mike Thomas reports on a match that simply oozed with excitement and tension. The photographs reflect this mood and only the Chris Page non-try raising the heartbeat of an otherwise lacklustre match. The Cleve web site might have a different view of the game, but somehow I doubt it. Young Tom Thie scored 2 tries, Tom O'Rourke, Steve Johnson and Christian Bushell got one apiece. | ||
| Clevedon 20 St Mary's 22 Mike Thomas reports on another close match with old rivals St Mary's Old Boys. Unfortunately, Mary's sneaked a win with a last minute penalty by Pete Bath's nephew, Nicky Mathews. The result sees Mary's go clear at the top of the table, who have been smarting since they lost the league and the Combination Cup to Clevedon last season. | ||
| Bristol Harlequins 5 Clevedon 26 Mike Thomas reports on the first round of the NPI Cup. It was a warm, sunny day and unlike the rugby just kept getting better and better. A flurry of cards saw the match descend into farce, when Harlequins were unable to field a front row ten minutes from full time. They almost withdrew from the field in protest at what they saw as unjust refereeing. Common sense finally prevailed and they stayed on the pitch only to immediately have the ref blow for full time! | ||
| Exmouth 20 Clevedon 20 Mike Thomas reports on the second league match of the season where Clevedon drew with the Cockles and muscled their way to third in the table, with both sides keeping the ball alive aliveo on a very hot and strength sapping day. The water carriers certainly earned their beer that afternoon. Additional photos from John Higman can be found here. | ||
| Clevedon 32 Brixham 10 Clevedon will welcome Brixham to The Vale for the first league match of the season on Saturday 7th September, KO 15:00. Clevedon, who haven't played Brixham for over 18 months (13/1/01) since they were last in South West 2, are relishing the prospect of pitting themselves against their third placed opponents last season. This will be a tough test for the young guns of Clevedon, many of whom haven't had the pleasure of playing Brixham yet. They'll find that Brixham play a robust style of rugby that stirs the emotions both on and off the pitch! Anyone would agree that Brixham's nickname conjures up visions of riverside peace and tranquility but in reality it should remind everyone of the film Jaws, where concentration, dedication and resolve finally overcame that big fish. On Saturday it gets serious. | ||
| 3rd XV Match Reports |
| Clevedon III 0 Hornets III 34 Will Stonier reports on a less one-sided match than last week. This fledgling third team are doing what the third team couldn't do last season - lose!! At least they're turning out in numbers and having a game. The lack of a third team last year really hit the bar takings, but now they're on the up. Everyone concerned should be congratulated for doing their bit and continue playing for their enjoyment. Never, have so few, drunk so much for the good of the club - keep it up boys. Sorry no photos available. |
| 2nd XV Match Reports |
| Bridgwater II 35 Clevedon II 5 Ross Brace reports on a match in which he featured himself. His modesty knows no bounds as you'll see in the report. |
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