First Win of the Year for Meggies

This game against Keyworth looked to be a difficult fixture with the opposition currently second in the league and Meggies looking for their first win in the league since November. After a late pitch inspection the game was moved to Cleethorpes new ground King George V playing fields on Taylor's Avenue. The players were excited to be playing at the new home for the first time on the excellent playing surface and with bright sunshine it was going to be a good day. Meggies started the better and came close to scoring but after conceding several penalties they found themselves under pressure. Just before the 20 minute mark the most experience man on the pitch Sean Ward gave away a penalty which cost him ten minute in the sin bin. This changed the game and sparked Clee into life and some excellent running and off loading the home side advanced into the danger zone. A great break and pass from Oli Nance to Joe Baker who opened the scoring running in for a try under posts. Patrick Hughes converted the try and this was the first kick of many from the full back who had and excellent day with the boot. Neither team looked to be in control of the game but then a yellow card for Keyworth and a penalty for Meggies put them 10-0 in front and looking good for the win. On the stroke of half time the referee is believed to have given a penalty try for decent which all player and spectator were shocked at as this is not in the laws of the game. This decision could have unsettled the home side but they respected the refs decision and came out fighting for the win in the second half. John Wools who was having a good game in the second row made way for player coach Richard Hyde. The first 10 minutes of the second half was uneventful until Clee started to mount some pressure and a Keyworth player gave away a penalty costing him 10 minutes in the bin. Shortly after Meggies extended their lead to 13-7 and with them now having the man advantage they started to play some good rugby with ball in hand. Luke Wood in the centre who had a great game in defence was now starting to get some ball and putting Matthew Searle into space several times which could have finished in a score. Finally a move which started from Andy Carruthers and went down the whole back line was finished brilliantly in the corner by Joff Grant. At 18-7 this was still anyone's game but with about 15 minutes left to play a loose kick from Keyworth was caught by Patrick Hughes who made a excellent run down the left wing and manged to off load the ball to the slowly retreating Oli Nance who found himself in clear space and was not going to be stopped from 10 metres out. Joe Barker converted the try to make the score 25-7 to Meggies. This was looking like it was going to be a comfortable Cleethorpes win but Keyworth still had time to get back in the game and in desperation they started to run everything and they got their reward 10 minutes from the end with a try. With time running out Keyworth still had chance to get a losing bonus point from the game and continued to threaten Cleethorpes line and just before the final whistle they scored a try but failed with the conversion. A win for Cleethorpes picking up 3 point and Keyworth failing in the last minute to salavge a point. A good start for Clee at their new ground and a win which will hopefully be the first of many.