CLEVE kept their noses in front in the race for the Counties 1 Tribute Western North division going into the final three fixtures of the season, despite suffering their first defeats.
They won the Team of the Month award for February after some tough fixtures including an away win over Nailsea & Backwell Ravens, who get their nickname from a gravestone in Backwell’s church.
The Ravens are a good team and play on a formidable home pitch, with a slope that is fine when playing down it but very difficult to play up.
Cleve started uphill and had to work hard to defend the Ravens downhill sorties, but their first venture into the opponents’ 22 led to a reward, scoring from a catch and drive.
The Ravens then moved the ball wide, scoring twice to go ahead 10-7.
Immediately at the start of the second half Cleve found their feet, with another catch and drive leading to a score.
As Cleve penetrated the Ravens’ 22, one of their second row smashed his way through to score and put them 21-10 up.
The Ravens battled to the end, with a kick through and chase making it close, but Cleve held out to win 21-17.
They then tasted defeat for the first time, 31-21 at home to Old Bristolians, before a top-of-the-league clash against Clifton II, with a good referee and independent touch judges appointed by the league.
Cleve dominated the first 10 minutes, but made errors in the rucks before benefiting from their territorial advantage when the ball popped out to one of Cleve’s centres, who scored.
The powerful Clifton team struck back with a try but, after Cleve were awarded a scrum inside the visitors’ 22, a pickup and quick movement from Will Warman saw him go over to make it 17-5.
A penalty taken by the reliable Matt Jarvis extended the lead. Cleve’s front row were outstanding, being awarded 5 penalties in a row.
Jarvis kept the ball moving in the backs, and the forwards worked with energy and endeavour in the rucks.
Cleve kept driving the ball forward and from good ball movement, Henry Wilstead went over to make it 22-5.
Clifton then fought back with two tries, bringing them to within three points of the hosts, but some great defending at the end of the game by Cleve’s back row stopped them scoring again, securing a 22-19 win.
A 66-5 away win over Gordon League, followed by a narrow 35-33 defeat at Bridgwater & Albion, meant Cleve were a point clear of Clifton ahead of their last home fixture against Nailsea & Backwell.
Steve Bateman