CLEVE are flying high. They have started the season well and there is a feel-good attitude at the club.
In late September the first team hosted Taunton, a semi-professional club. They looked impressive at the beginning of the game, with sizeable forwards who were well organised and athletic in the lineout. It wasn’t surprising to see them go ahead after a penalty in the first few minutes.
Then Cleve began to get to grips with the game and, after a penalty that led to a lineout in Taunton’s 22, the forwards, led by Harry Casson, controlled the ball and rumbled over the line. Matt Jarvis converted, and Cleve were in the lead 7-3.
Cleve have improved their defence this season and that makes them very competitive. Taunton were under pressure and again coughed up a penalty. The ball went into their 22 and another catch and drive resulted in Freddie Flook burrowing over. Matt Jarvis again added the extras.
Cleve were firing on all cylinders, with half backs Archie Staples and Matt Jarvis in control, sending the ball fast across the backs.
Some crowd-pleasing attacking rugby in the second half saw Matt Jarvis make a great break, feeding Josh Davies who went over to score and make it 21-3.
Taunton responded with two tries, to get within four points with 15 minutes to go.
Cleve adopted the best tactics by keeping Taunton in their half, keeping them too far away from Cleve’s line to score.
Their defence, commitment and organisation were outstanding to see out the 21-17 win and put Cleve top of the table.
In October Cleve fielded three teams on one Saturday for the first time in ten years.
Unfortunately, the 1st team’s games against Cinderford did not take place due as their opponents could not field a front row.
The flourishing second team took to the field against Whitehall with several experienced players plus enthusiastic and talented ex-colts, and came away with a crushing victory.
Cleve scored after five minutes, pleasing the crowd who had turned up to watch the first team.
The seconds have a very strong pack that began to dominate proceedings, and after another 10 minutes Cleve went over again.
A misfield by Whitehall on the halfway line saw Cleve winger Dave Thomas race through and score under the posts, repeating the feat twice more to complete a hat trick after just 35 minutes.
At half-time the score was 52-0, with records tumbling.
Cameos included an appearance by Andy O’Donnell, who has already played over 500 games for the club.
The pick of the scores was a try by Charlie Bowen who, from his own 22, beat five players to go over as Cleve went on to win 98-7.
The thirds were not able to respond to a very strong start by their opponents Frampton Cotterell, who led 17-0 at the half, and finished up winning by the same score.
Overall the day was a great success for the club, with 59 Cleve players, 36 of them home-grown, in the three teams.
Anyone who would like to get involved should call 0117 957 5775 or get in touch via the club’s Facebook page, with links to contacts for various teams.
Steve Bateman