Weston 29 - Clevedon 23

Close Game...

WESTON SUPER MARE 1ST XV 29PTS. V CLEVEDON 1ST XV 23PTS.
Another bonus point on the road, but a game Clevedon let slip in the latter stages. It was a pulsating game which lived up to a local derby.
Weston took the lead in the first minute with a well taken, contentious try, unconverted. Weston continued to push and could have gone further ahead but missed two kickable penalties. Clevedon then took the game to Weston and had them on the back foot for most of the first half but failed to turn pressure into points and the normally reliable Hill narrowly missed three penalty attempts. Hill then found his kicking boots and slotted over 3 penalties in 5 minutes for Clevedon to take a deserved 9-5 lead.
Just before half time Clevedon launched an attack with a fine break by Aaron Rice who offloaded to prop Brian Largenton to go over under the posts. Hill converted for Clevedon to lead 16 - 5 at the turn around.
The second half saw why Weston were unbeaten so far this season.They kicked a penalty to reduce the gap to 16-8 but Clevedon hit back with an excellent try by hooker Matt Honour, after good approach work by Clevedon, converted by Hill to take Clevedon into a deserved 23-8 lead.
Clevedon now came under sustained pressure from the heavier home pack and conceded a number of penalties, one which resulted in a penalty try converted to close the gap to 23-15. Clevedon then had a man in the bin for 17 minutes and Weston with their tails up scored two converted tries late on, for a 29-23 lead,
With Clevedon back to full strength they pressurised the Weston line and a certain try was disallowed for apparent crossing, much to the amazement of most of the crowd, even some of the home supporters, but at the final whistle it was Weston who hung on for the win.
Head Coach Nick Hill commented "Although I'm very proud of the lads we need to learn to close out games, at 23-8 up we took our foot off the pedal and let Weston back into the game and they showed why they are top of the league".
Next week Clevedon are away to Drybrook, coach leaves 11.a.m.