Clevedon 3 - 6 Taunton RFC

Taunton kept the pressure on the league's top two with this close encounter against 5th placed Clevedon.

This is the first time Taunton have completed the double over Clevedon. Their first competitive meeting was 15 years ago and Clevedon had won 11 of their 17 league and cup contests before the start of this season.

The North Somerset club's regular home at Coleridge Vale was a paddy field, so the match was played on a much smaller, sloping school pitch. In addition it rained throughout and was treacherous underfoot.

So it was never going to be a try fest as both sides slugged it out until the bitter end.

Taunton also won the home match in dry conditions back in October - a one-sided affair, particularly in the first half when they racked up 44 points. But Clevedon showed their full potential, "winning" the second half of that match 7-5.

Last Saturday it was a totally different ball game. Clevedon had the benefit of the elements in the first session but never looked like getting over the visitors' try line.

They had to settle for a solitary penalty goal from Rory Biggins and an interval lead of three points after another outstanding defensive performance by Taunton.

Within 15 minutes of the restart Jon Martin had kicked two penalty goals to give Taunton the lead. They camped in the Clevedon half for virtually the whole 40 minutes, outscrummaging the home side with relative ease. The only times Clevedon got into Taunton territory were from the restart kicks.

This was a close call judging by the scoreline but Taunton were in no danger once they had taken the lead in the second half.

Hopefully the weather will have improved for Camborne's visit to Hyde Park on Saturday where the Cornish club will wish to improve on their 17-41 home defeat by Taunton in October.

Bill Luckett