Clevedon 15 pts Avonmouth 13 pts - IT was due to the forkers and bucketeers that enabled this game to be played.

Clevedon 15 pts

Avonmouth 13 pts

IT was due to the forkers and bucketeers that enabled this game to be played. Their efforts were rewarded with a win and a good performance in atrocious conditions.

The referee did well to distinguish between the sides despite both teams changing shirts at half time.

Avonmouth applied early pressure and deservedly took the lead with a try after s slick handling movement. Clevedon gradually settled down and got into the game. They spilled the ball twice on the visitors' try line before Ben Hazeldine kicked a penalty to get them on the scoreboard.

Despite the conditions both sides ran the ball and as a result Avonmouth scored their second try. The set pieces were even with Clevedon having the slight edge in the scrums with Ben Stone the cornerstone of the pack. A fine attacking move by Clevedon saw debutant James Barzotelli have a great run and provide the try-scoring pass to man of the match Ryan Smith which Hazeldine converted. Just before half time Avonmouth regained the lead with a penalty.

The second half started with the pitch being just a mass of brown. In the heavy conditions both sides with weary legs kicked away possession. When ball was kept in hand the tackling on both sides was immense.

The Clevedon midfield of Simon Johns and Tom O'rourke defended out of their skins while the forwards well led by Owen Biggins were outstanding. Harvey Russell in the line-out was immense.

A delicate chip ahead saw Chris Cates win the race for the touch down to put Clevedon into the lead. The battle was now on.Clevedon were down to 14 men with a player in the bin. Avonmouth applied tremendous pressure on the Clevedon line, but a monumental effort held out.

Clevedon managed to survive and at the final whistle were entrenched in the Avonmouth half. Next Saturday, Clevedon travel to .St Ives, kick-off 3pm.