Clevedon Rugby
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Team: T.Thie(c), O.James, S.Johns, D.Ashfield, A.Perry, M.Taylor, J.Williams, T.Dauncey, M.Honour, D.Vivian, D.Rawle, A.Giltrow, O.Biggins, H.Russell, S.Hunt. Replacements:R.Smith, G.Appleby, C.Derrick.

While the players were getting ready for this match, the travelling supporters were enjoying a superb pre-match sea food buffet. The hospitality from Brixham was outstanding and with the match kicking off later than the scheduled 14:30 one, there was more time to indulge and enjoy another oyster or two!

However, the game was a different matter. The giant Brixham team showed no hospitality whatsoever and punished Clevedon mistakes with the ruthlessness of a pod of killer whales. If they don't lose at Chosen Hill again, then they might well be in contention for promotion at the end of the season.

It wasn't all gloom for Clevedon, who played well enough to be within a score at half time. The sheer physical effort of trying to keep Brixham out took its toll in the second half and the scoreline was at least closer than it was last season.

A very encouraging, if disappointing start for Clevedon who play newbies Oldfield Old Boys next week. The kick off is at 15:00 and is preceded by a VP's pre-match buffet at 13:30.

See Kev Weaver's photos here on Skydrive.

The Annual General Meeting will take place at the club house on Monday, 15th August at 20:00. All members are welcome to attend.

Two pre-season trial matches have been arranged. The first is on Wednesday, 17th August against Old Redcliffians, kick off at 19:00. The second is against Weston Super Mare on Saturday, 27th August, kick off at 15:00.

The Friends of Clevedon RFC 1st XV kit sponsorship draw has taken place and the successful applicants were:

• Shirt Front - ADL Building Contractors
• Shirt Front - A.G.Neads. Building Contractors.
• Shorts - The Royal Oak and Voyager Networks Limited

Thank you to everyone that participated in this sponsorship draw. If you require any more information, please contact Paul Squires at the clubhouse.

On the 3rd June 2011 Dave Rawle, captain of the second team, accepted the Tribute Somerset 2 North shield from Somerset President Jon Whittock and a represenative of St. Austell Brewery, who sponsor the league.

Dave Rawle remarked "that this is a proud moment for Clevedon rugby" and that he was "honoured to accept the shield on behalf of the club and the Clevedon second team".

Clevedon's Director of Rugby Jeff Durant is delighted to announce the arrival of Nick Hill as Head Coach for the forthcoming season. Nick will be working closely with Kim Hazeldine and a small support team as Clevedon look to maximise their potential in South West 1 and build upon last season's promotion success for both 2nd and 3rd teams.

Nick is well known to many at Clevedon having enjoyed a successful playing career at the club. Recently, he has been Head Coach with Somerset rivals Bridgwater & Albion and was responsible for the successful development of a young and inexperienced group of players at National league level. Nick also has experience coaching with Bridgwater College and will bring a fresh perspective to Clevedon and the development of its players.

Nick said, "I am delighted to be back at Clevedon and relishing the challenge of taking Clevedon rugby forward. We have an exciting group of young players alongside some real experience and with a renewed focus and commitment we are really looking forward to testing ourselves next season. I will be working very closely with Kim Hazeldine and our skills will complement each other greatly."

Jeff Durant said, "Nick's appointment demonstrates the club's playing ambition and ongoing commitment to the development of its largely home-grown players. With the significant investment in our facilities recently we are truly a community club, but with far-reaching and ambitious plans for improvement."

New players, at all levels, can be assured of a warm welcome to Clevedon and a brand of attractive and enjoyable rugby. Anyone interested please call Jeff Durant on 07919 395579 or Nick Hill on 07774 000643. Alternatively, turn up for training at 18:30 every Tuesday and Thursday from the 5th July 2011.

As should be obvious to those that use this website regularly, it has changed a wee bit.

In the coming weeks the content from previous years will be made available under the Site Links on the right. Currently, only last season is available, so please feel free to review and comment if you want to.

When the Club Reunion was held in August last year, this photo of past and present captains was taken, which served as a reminder to get the old stuff online before any of them peg it.

In the meantime, enjoy what is available and keep an eye out for those other years.

Touch Rugby

As the new season gets ever closer, Clevedon have started light training in the form of touch rugby. This takes place at The Vale every Wednesday and Friday at 18:30 and is a fun way of keeping the fitness ticking over until the real stuff starts in July.

The current in form team is the one captained by veteran Nellie O'Rourke. He has recruited like-minded oldies who are giving the youngsters a lesson in how to move the ball about without running around like maniacs.

Giving and timing a pass is what they're all about and they are unstoppable! If you want to knock them off their perch, get down the club and give it a go. All it needs is a bit of pace out wide and they'll be beaten. Mind you, the ball's got to get out there first.

Touch Finals

29th June 2011

As predicted, Nellie's team won the finals in style without losing a game. The team of Neil O'Rourke, Chris Page, Rich Hughes, Chris Williams, Tom Thie and Amy Thie won the final by four tries to two, which was their closest game of the evening. They be joining a proper summer league next year, so every one please take note.

Bag, Flag, Bottle and Ball Man

The current incumbent is stepping down this season after years in the job. He will be sadly missed but he doesn't care, because he feels the time is now right for a younger person to take over and make the job their own.

The job requires a dedicated and commited individual who is willing to be available every week (home and away) to run the line and to do assorted changing room activities, none of them rude.

The precious 20 year old flag will be handed over to the successful person who must realise the importance of using it without fear in some of the most hostile environments in the league. Decisiveness is everything with this job, as is the ability to out-banter the opposition crowds, who can sometimes be a bit one-eyed and partisan. That said, it is a fun and entertaining job and you'll get to meet all sorts of nice and charming people who will often by you a pint.

Please contact Jeff Durant, Director of Rugby or Kim Hazeldine, Head Coach if you're interested in this prestigious and important matchday role.

The funeral of Jim Gilmore, life long member of Gordano Rugby Club is on Thursday 7th July at St.Georges Church, Easton in Gordano at 14:30.

Please visit the Gordano Rugby Club website for more information

Jim was a frequent visitor to Clevedon and was even more so when his son Ben played for Clevedon during the 2004-2005 season. His wit and repartee will be remembered for a long time and he'll be sadly missed by everyone.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben and his family.

Club President and wise-old-head Mike Thomas reached the seventy years old mark yesterday, although most people thought he was older because he seems to have been around forever.

He and his lovely wife Rooooth, have spent a long weekend away reminiscing about what used to be taken for granted and will hopefully have found a solution.

If you would like to see Mike to congratulate him, he'll be at his usual clubhouse haunt tonight with a nice, juicy, fat wallet full of Welsh Euros.

Happy belated birthday Mike.

The 1st XV shirt sponsor grand draw is an entirely new approach to shirt sponsorship for Clevedon Rugby Club.

In the past sponsors have been required to provide the funds for the complete 1st XV kit, which was a significant financial outlay for them.

This year, a draw will be held in which there will be only 100 tickets sold.

Each ticket is priced at £50.00 and there is no restriction on how many tickets you are able to purchase up to the limit mentioned above.

The draw will be held before the end of July 2011 and the winners will win one of three prizes:

• First Prize - Your Company Logo on the shirt front
• Second Prize - Your Company Logo on the shirt back
• Third Prize - Your Company Logo on the playing shorts

Please contact Paul Squires at the clubhouse for more information about this draw. Failing that, please email the Webmaster shown on the Contacts page with your requirements. Thank you.