Somerset were in the County Plate final against Surrey on Sunday 29th May at Twickenham, the home of the World Cup. With six Clevedon players involved, the club was well represented and all gave a good account of themselves. The magnificent six were joined by Yatton fly half Dave Keating, the hairy one in the photo!

The six players involved were Mike Lowis, Tom Thie, Ashley Vailes, James Shopland, Wayne MacMillan and James Morgan. Owen Biggins was injured in a previous round and couldn't make the squad. Well done to them all!

A report from the RFU website can be found here.

Clevedon RFC held their annual Dinner and Dance on Friday 29th May. Numbers were down this year because seven players were on duty with Somerset in the County Cup Plate semi-final, which they won.

The seven players involved were Mike Lowis, Tom Thie, Ashley Vailes, James Shopland, Wayne MacMillan, Owen Biggins and James Morgan. They are now looking forward to the final on Sunday, kick-off 11:00, Twickenham. The match is being televised live on Sky . Good luck to them all, a great and proud day for Clevedon RFC.

After the food had been eaten, the speeches began with Chairman Paul Squires thanking many people for their efforts. As Captain Lowis wasn't around, it was left to coach Mark Hawkes to talk eloquently about the playing side. He extolled the virtues of the side and praised, in particular, the missing captain for his contribution to what was eventually a successful season, having retained South West One status. He said he was looking forward to next season and stated that training is due to start on June 23rd at 6:30. Players with ambition to further their playing career in SW1 are welcome to attend on the night.

After the speeches came the awards. They are as follows:

• Try Scoring Cup - Tim Brooks
• Kicking Cup - Nellie O'Rourke
• Most Improved Player - Dave Rawle
• Players Player - James Shopland
• Coaches Player(s) - James Shopland and Mike Lowis
• Captains Tankard - Neil Tucker
• 1st XV Captains Player - Tom Thie
• 2nd XV Captains Player - Luke Holland
• 3rd XV Captains Player - Paul Nicholls

The funniest moments from the speeches were provided by 2xv Captain Nick Hill. In between talking about his chosen player he told a few jokes, which as usual are difficult to recall except for the odd punchline like "....Last night you asked if I could cook your sock". Very funny at the time, but probably not here! Anyway, an auction for some limited number photo prints was held and raised over £350 for the club. A draw was not done to give more time for dancing - although for some it was a chance to get back to the bar.

Thanks to Mike Thomas and Richard Newton for organising the evening. Volunteers are needed to do the same next year please.

The report can be found here. Photos can be found by clicking the images...


Team: S.Johnson, S.Johns, T.Thie, T.O'Rourke, C.Cates, M.Lowis (C), A.Vailes, B.Gilmore, J.Morgan, N.Hill, W.MacMillan, J.Durant, J.Shopland, O.Biggins, D.Rawle. Reps: J.Gallagher, P.Gamble, M.Harris

The old men of Clevedon and Kenilworth put on their boots in pursuit of the prestigious KFC trophy and what a spectacle they put on. Clevedon came away with the spoils after overcoming their bigger rivals. The foundation for victory came from a good supply of quality forward possession and slick handling in the backs, Ege Amor ran in 3 classy tries and the Clevedon sporting legend, footballing, boxing, keep fit fanatic and now rugby player Ian Eisenstrager got a brace, another sporting legend John Evans tore through the defence breaking tackles at will from 40 meters out, James Griffin scythed through two hapless tacklers to score under the posts and the last score went to the much travelled Henry Williams, who later retired with a shattered Heartledge.

The third of Clevedons Sporting Heroes Neil O'Rourke chipped over 5 conversions. A big thanks to Dave Robbins and Martin Weeks from Yatton, who turned out for Clevedon at the last minute. Both now have an understanding of how the game should be played, and it will be hard for them going back to Yatton.

Overall, a very good hard game played in the right spirit with some touches of class still on display despite the passing years.

Players worthy of note:

• Henry Williams - Passed to the opposition to score the opening try under the posts, same result as the last game he played.
• Ian Eisenstrager - Jug avoidance, kicked the ball when the try line was begging.
• Rich Hughes - Man of the match selected by the opposition.
• Paul Astle - This man can talk for the whole game without getting out of breath.
• James Bale - He did not punch anyone.
• Colin Robinson - 30 metres back for mouthing at the ref and he is a Policeman.
• Neil O'Rourke - "Leave him, he's mine" and they score!!

The end of another season, thanks to all even though we only played a few games. Next year we will have a full fixture list and hopefully two games against Kenilworth. The first will be at home in October and then we will travel to them at the end of the season for a mini tour again.

Keep on going you old boys.

Nellie

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Rob Fielder reports, 15th January 2005: The persistently cold wind and rain on Saturday couldn't fail to stop the resurgent march of Jammers Dodgers, two weeks after gaining revenge on Taunton with a fine all round display. Clevedon started this match like a well oiled machine playing up the hill. Good first phase possession allied to slick handling from the whole back line, enabled Rob Fielder to stroll over for the first try. The wheels on the machine became a little wobbly, due to lack of commitment and co-ordination at breakdowns, allowing North to spoil, despite the tidy work of Chris Bird. A half time roasting was much needed. Angry captain Mark James read the riot act to the team, during the half time freeze.

With ears still burning the Dodgers caught and drove furiously from the restart. Brad Kemp hit a huge hole off a ruck, sucking in defenders, enabling Mark James to carve his way through the surprised defense to score. Suitably enthused, Clevedon now hit ruck after ruck, driven on by the barking Rob Fielder at scrum half. Ben Carrol, Kyle Vickery, John Harvey, Colin Robinson and Chris Alexander led this merciless initiative. Fine work at the base of the scrum by Gary Hinkley, plus good linking, allowed Tim Brooks to crash over. With Dan "box of tricks" Hawkes pulling much magic out of the hat at fly half, Clevedon produced some highly enterprising moves, despite the difficult conditions.

A great second leg by James Russell allowed him to wrestle over for another Clevedon touchdown. North found some form and peeled back around the front of the line, so their No. 8 could score. Suitably irked, the Dodgers replied by carving North up through the handling of Paul "I can't believe I'm back" Glen, Chris Alexander, Rory Biggins Gareth Beanpole and Dean Winger. More fast ball gave the skipper a sidestepping opportunity which he took with glee to notch his 2nd try, Paul Glen converted, giving him a total of three cons. The fat lady sang and the race to the warm indoors commenced.

Joe Harwood and his wife had a farewell party at the club on the 23rd December where he was presented with a host of club goodies.

Several speeches, beers and tears later and he was gone, gone to the land of the long white cloud. It was a pleasure meeting you Joe and we hope everything goes well for you in the future. Cheers, Bro!

Clevedon U15's were in the semi final of the Combination Cup and narrowly lost to a highly fancied Clifton side. Under coach Dauncey's watchful eye, they played their hearts out and never gave up. He says "They're a great bunch of lads who are improving all the time and the future looks bright for Clevedon rugby". Keep it going boys.

Clevedon RFC main sponsors Russell Construction and Voyager Networks hand over new sets of shirts for the 1st XV, 2nd XV and 3rd XV. Dave Russell and Nigel Williams receive thanks and appreciation from Club Chairman Paul Squires, who reciprocated by buying them a beer! They also deserve a huge vote of thanks from the players concerned who would normally be wearing hand-me-downs at the start of a new season and arguing over who would get to wear the only decent shirt in the bag!!

All that remains now is for them (the shirts!) to be looked after with a bit of TLC and they'll last forever. This job will be in the capable hands of captains Nick Hill and Mark James who have pledged themselves to this honourable task.

Thanks again Dave and Nigel for your support of the club.

2XV Captain Nick Hill receives on behalf of Clevedon RFC two full sets of training suits from the OpalTec directors. With the weather getting worse by the day, the players will be eternally grateful to Opaltec in the coming months! Thank you OpalTec for your generous support.

Nellie O'Rourke is a Clevedon legend and Sporting Hero, known throughout the local rugby world as a tough uncompromising competitor. Despite his advancing years (41) and his stature (small) he managed to play his 700th game on Saturday against old rivals Gordano. He scored 3 tries, dropped a couple of goals and slotted 4 conversions to wrap up victory for Clevedon in fine style!! His reward was his height in Blackthorn cider, which he found rather uncomfortable to drink because it was so cold. He likened the head pain he experienced to eating a Mr Whippy ice cream too fast. The legend is going soft, someone give him a Flake.

After late changes to personnel, Hilly's heroes set about their task with the bit between their teeth and the early exchanges were fierce against a robust Dings side. About 10 minutes into the game Clevedon lost the services of Dave Nally (who was clearly having a bad hair day) to a shoulder injury. Cue the entrance of Paul 'The raging bull' Gamble who together with front row partners Dunn and Murray systematically took the Ding's front row to the cleaners.

Clevedon started to make headway through powerful driving from ex Gordano 'stars' Rich Hughes and Paul 'porridge' Winward and deservedly took first blood from a 75 yard penalty against the wind from born again Christian Neil O'Rourke. The bible bashing scrum half was at it again moments later with a crafty kick over the top from his size 3 boot to put speedster Forrest Cates over for a good score. One of the highlights of the first half was Jeff Durant hurtling down the wing faster than a carthorse who has just got reprieved from the knackers' yard, only to be cruelly stopped, by his own lung capacity, inches from the line.

At the turn around Clevedon were 13-0 up, but Dings were far from finished and some powerful surges in the midfield were only thwarted by good work from Ernie Freeman and James Hewitt Page and their back line.

In the set piece Clevedon were clearly on top with Dutch Holland soaring like an eagle in the lineouts. Sterling work from Hill and Durant in stealing the ball from a Dings rolling maul resulted in a swift handling move and Cates simply having to run 80 yards, beat two defenders and score in the corner.

Dings did get on the score board when a penalty try was awarded when a player was harshly adjudged to have been tackled without the ball.

Solid performances from Russell, Bassett and Crossley just to name a few.

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