Clevedon 27 pts St Ives 8 pts - A LARGE crowd attended this first league match with great expectations having watched Clevedon win their three trial matches and they were not disappointed.

Clevedon 27 pts

St Ives 8 pts

A LARGE crowd attended this first league match with great expectations having watched Clevedon win their three trial matches and they were not disappointed.

Clevedon started well, applied early pressure and took the lead with a blind-side move involving Dave Rawle and Harvey Russell to put Ashley Vailes over in the corner. They should have increased their lead, but had two tries disallowed and over eagerness was the downfall on at least two occasions.

Clevedon missed a few kicks into the wind, but St Ives kicked a penalty on a rare occasion into Clevedon territory. Clevedon led 5-3 at the break.

Clevedon now with the wind at their backs ran the ball and the backs looked a useful outfit. Mike Lowis came into the line, was high tackled and a penalty try awarded which Simon Johns converted.

The Clevedon forwards worked hard against a bigger pack and held their own in the scrums but struggled in the line-outs. Lowis, relishing the running game, put a grub kick through for Grant Cherrington to score in the corner and Ben Hazeldine kicked a penalty.

St Ives played well in the last quarter and scored a try from a catch and drive at the line-out.

Clevedon had the final say with a try for Joe Williams after a slick handling move. Ben Hazeldine converted from the touchline to give Clevedon a well deserved victory.

On Saturday, Clevedon are away at St Mary's, kick-off 2.30pm.