Warwickian caught short by Claverdon

Claverdon preserved their 100 per cent Midland Five West (South) record with a crushing victory over a weakened Warwickian side.

The hosts suffered late withdrawals which forced them to start with 13 men, but despite their disadvantage, they produced a spirited opening.

Player-coach Nick Cameron sent over a penalty to put Warwickian into an early lead and then missed a kickable drop goal.

Jolted into action, Claverdon took advantage of hesitation in the home defence to score their first try, winger Matt Blay displaying some clever footwork to score under the posts. Ian Wyllie converted.

Winger Tom Johnson quckly added a second, outpacing his man to score in the corner after a well- drilled lineout. Wyllie missed the touchline conversion.

Claverdon were finding it hard to break down a resolute Warwickian defence and had to wait until ten minutes before half-time to extend their lead, Tom Bennett jinking past several defenders to score under the posts. Wyllie’s conversion made it 19-3 to the visitors.

With the second half only two minutes old, Sam Horswill secured the bonus point with a strong break from flanker, crashing over under the posts to give Wyllie an easy conversion.

The try lifted Lions and they quickly racked up a host of points with some free-flowing rugby.

Bennett recorded his second try, only for Wyllie to miss a fairly straightforward conversion, and Steve Grimsley was next on the scoresheet, touching down after a rolling maul. Doz Ward took over the kicking duties to put the conversion between the posts.

From another solid scrum, Ward spread the ball to Bennett who used his pace to complete his hat-trick, Ward converting.

Utilising their man advantage, Claverdon were rampant and replacement Conor Smith quickly made his presence felt, jinking his way past several defenders to score another converted try.

Chris Edsall was next to touch down before Lions scored their tenth, and possibly best, try of the game.

Great offloading out of the tackle saw the ball reach prop Chris Lowe who sidestepped the full-back to record his first try of the season.

Doz Ward maintained his perfect kicking game to give Claverdon the extra two points.