Reported by Mark Hawkes

Clevedon Colts 7 Taunton Colts 7
14th December 2002

What a difference two weeks make ! University students returning and an early start for the hockey players. Clevedon had 21 players available and all got on the pitch on a particularly cold afternoon. What was to come from a Taunton side with numerous county players on display ? A strong Clevedon pack, though perhaps a little unfit competed for everything, Littleton looking leaner than ever, Soppit winning away ball at lineouts and John Harvey bulking up the back row all made major contributions all over the paddock, openside James Morgan who's running at Taunton continually put them under pressure and an important catch under a high swirling ball by Matt Morris kept things level. The story of the first half was Clevedons dogged defence and determination and Tauntons inability to break it down, lots of ideas but nothing to show for them at half time. Changes saw Joe Taylor coming back to his favoured position at scrum half and young Lee Giles coming off after a gutsy performance, this together with the introduction of Bradley Crone and Gary Hinkley made a difference to the way Clevedon were now playing, Hazeldine's confidence at ten rose and Biggins destructive tackling was assisted by Crone and now Taunton were on the back foot, Bryant continued to find Soppit at every opportunity at the line out, Taunton now needed to defend. An early breakaway try by Taunton brought the best out of Clevedon and a handling movement involving Johns, Russell, Hinkley, Morgan then finally Littleton to score from 15 metres out summed up the spirit, Littleton was going to score whatever happened and thankfully he did or the four outside him may have had something to say. This was converted by Hazeldine. Clevedon now tried to move the ball quickly whenever they could and this saw Johns and Pedder getting more involved, Greig Cox and Luke Derrick added fresh legs in the second half and this was all Clevedon needed to see out a comfortable draw in which they had opportunities to win. Man of the match was probably James Russell for his outstanding tackle count, followed closely by John Harvey. A very competitive game played with great spirit and festive cheer. The colts next game is on the 28th December 2002.