CLEVE have started 2025 as they finished 2024 – winning.
The first team and the second team are riding high, with both unbeaten in their leagues as the Voice went to print.
To celebrate the season and the history of the club, a Legends Dinner was held prior to the first team match against Chard.
The dinner started at midday, and attracted players from all the decades Cleve have played in Downend.
The player who played through the most decades was Mike Taverner, from 1939 to 1972. He was at the dinner with two of his sons.
A few players and their sons attended the dinner, making it a family occasion.
Entertainment was provided by the ‘Voice of Rugby’, an actor who impersonated a few memorable TV moments in the sport, like Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal that won the 2003 World Cup.
When the dinner ended, everyone went out to watch the first team win against Chard by 40 points to 5.
The following week the first team was away to Burnham, winning the match 45-0.
The seconds played against Avonmouth, who put out their best team.
Again, Cleve’s reputation proceeded them, and Avonmouth put out as strong a team as they could. In the first minute, Cleve quickness led to a try.
In the second minute they repeated the play, and by the 10th minute Cleve were ahead 21-0.
The backline fired well, with Archie Walker and fullback Charlie Bowen making some great breaks. Certainly, the talent in the team is pressing the first team, ending the game 59-0.
Coach John Andrews said afterwards that he was proud of the young players in the team, who promise a great future for the club.
The away game for the first team against Nailsea & Backwell was a close result, with Cleve winning 21-17, while the seconds had another huge win, 83-5 against Kingswood.
There was a big moment at the Hayfields in February, with the club’s first ever age-grade girls team taking to the field.
A combined U10/11 side took on a spirited Bristol Harlequins team, both providing a brilliant showcase for girls’ rugby.
Steve Bateman and
Mark Hutton