Captain Jeff Durant had to watch this game from the sidelines after a nasty infection laid him low during the week. Chris Page was also unavailable and this gave coach Brian Hanlon the chance to experiment with a series of new partnerships.

With Pearce and Panoho in the second row, Tucker, Shopland and Biggins in the back row, the Clevedon pack found themselves having to buddy up like they've never done before. The centre partnership of Brooks and Herewini forced Vailes onto the wing and Bushell onto the bench. New benchers were Rawle and Kemp.

Despite these changes Clevedon were never overawed or intimidated by the league leaders. In fact, they soaked up all the early pressure and were awarded five first half penalties, of which only one was successful. Tucker rampaged around the park like he did when he was 21 and did the ugly stuff on the ground to secure some good ball, while Shopland and Biggins covered the ground easily with their long lanky legs. Both Pearce and Panoho had a series of good bullocking runs and gained yards in the process, allowing the supporting players to ruck the ball in style.

The scrums were dominant with the front row of Potts, Gallagher and Hill as solid as a rock. The lineouts worked well, which allowed the backs to express themselves in all parts of the park. Solid defence was called for on a number of occasions and some spectacular last ditch tackling prevented Cinderford from crossing the try line. With first half injury time being played, Clevedon scored a brilliant try through Tom Thie after a break out by the elusive Lowis, who also converted the try for Clevedon to lead 10-3 at half time.

The second half saw Clevedon begin as they had left off in the first, and after only a couple of minutes scored a try through Tom O'Rourke after good work by the whole team and a swift break by Johnson. Lowis increased the Clevedon lead to 17-3 with his second conversion. Clevedon were in complete control in all phases of play and five minutes later score another try down the blindside, after Lowis had entered the line at pace, for Shopland to score amongst the Autumn leaves at the Sulley end. Lowis converted for Clevedon to lead 24-3 with 25 minutes remaining.

From a lineout 5 metres out Clevedon scored an Owen Biggins try after a good catch by Pearce and a forceful drive by the forwards. Lowis failed with his conversion attempt. The game ebbed and flowed and Clevedon had to rely on their solid defence to ensure Cinderford did not get any momentum going. The best hit pint went to Herewini who scythed a man down two metres out, which gave Clevedon turnover ball to free their lines. His compatriot Panoho, was looking the likely winner of this sought-after award (it is a free pint after all) after some good boshing runs up field, but had to settle for second best and a little sip.

Bushell replaced Thie who had taken a knock and Kemp replace Hill in the front row, a move that lowered the average age of the team by two years! The game remained scoreless for 15 minutes and was finally complete 6 minutes early after a serious leg injury to the Cinderford fullback, who was following up his own kick ahead into the Clevedon 22. An ambulance was called and the stricken player ferried off to hospital some 45 minutes after the game had ended. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

A word of consolation for young Davie Rawle, who never made it on to the pitch despite having warmed up - still he had a blinder on touchline and never complained more than a dozen times!!

Clevedon fully deserved their win against the league leaders and were paid a huge compliment by one of the travelling supporters, who said that if the game had been at Cinderford, Clevedon would have stuffed them by an even bigger margin. When you remember that they have a full size pitch with dead ball areas the large enough for an outdoor festival, it was some comment indeed.

Next Saturday, Clevedon are away to Clifton, KO 14:30