CHOSEN HILL FP 25 CLEVEDON 27

A good sized crowd turned up to bask in the Easter sunshine and watch Chosen attempt to gain at least the one point necessary to lift them above relegation rivals St Ives, but the news for the home side supporters was not good when influential skipper Andy King had to withdraw from the team with a recurrence of a knee injury just minutes before kick-off.

Having lost the toss, Chosen had first use of the Brookfield Road slope but it was the visitors who opened the scoring after just four minutes when Chosen strayed off-side and scrum half Steve Johnson landed the resultant penalty goal. Ten minutes later Chosen had their first real scoring opportunity but winger Mark Yemm’s penalty goal attempt went left of the posts.

With Chosen down to fourteen men after scrum half John Wand was yellow carded for a high tackle, Clevedon scored again when flanker Owen Biggins powered over for a try converted by Johnson.

Ten nil down, Chosen were staring defeat in the face but they refused to panic and with half time approaching they used their in-form forwards to drive towards the Clevedon line. The drive was halted but from the resultant five metre scrum number eight Rich Austin picked up and went blind, forcing his way over for a vital try. Yemm’s conversion attempt went wide but Chosen were right back in the match.

Five minutes into the second half Clevedon increased their lead with another Johnson penalty goal but there then followed a thirty minute purple patch for the home side as they ran in three more tries to move into a comfortable lead. First, prop Jonny Mullis forced his way over from close range then replacement flanker Ian Riddel was on hand to break through following another powerful forward drive. Although Yemm was off-target with both conversion attempts his side now held a narrow two point lead and this was increased to five points when he finally found his range with a penalty goal.

With less then ten minutes remaining Chosen got their vital fourth try and it was a really fine effort conjured up by utility back Matt Elston who broke through the Clevedon defence twenty metres inside his own half and then gave an inch perfect pass to centre Jon Coles. The youngster sprinted away up-field and with the crowd roaring him on he outstripped the Clevedon defence to cross near the posts. Yemm converted and Chosen lead 25-13.

The hot weather, pace of the game and huge effort throughout the match began to take its toll on the Chosen defence and on seventy eight minutes Clevedon’s Dean Ashfield sauntered over for a try under the posts. Johnson converted to bring his side back within five points of Chosen and then with the Chosen defence dead on their feet the visitors snatched victory with a second try from Owen Biggins converted by the reliable boot of Johnson.

Chosen earned two bonus points for their efforts and as a result moved one point above St Ives who had completed their league fixtures last weekend, so with South West One West status confirmed for a third consecutive season, Chosen will be glad of a four month break that will hopefully give their many injured players the opportunity to return to full fitness.

Click below to see Clevedon's match report and some great photos of Clevedon in their after match fancy dress!!!
http://www.clevedonrfc.co.uk/