Cleve 21 Taunton Warriors 17

This was a shock to the system to see the Warriors lose their first game in over a year, and perhaps on a different day the outcome could have been very different.  The game started with the Warriors kicking off and within the first three minutes Reece Malone put them on the scoreboard with a converted penalty.  From the re-start the Warriors won a penalty and cleared their lines to touch only for them to lose the lineout and give Cleve some ball.  It was the Warriors who then started to concede penalties and on nine minutes Cleve won the lineout and mauled the ball over the line for their fist converted try.  The Warriors were showing their skills with some good possession but seemed to either come up against some stern defence, concede a penalty, nine in that first half, or do what is normally out of character for the Warriors kick away possession.  It did not help when on 22 minutes the Warriors received a yellow card reducing them to 14 players.  The resultant penalty and the extra player allowed a similar catch and drive to give Cleve their second try and a 14 point to 3lead.  The Warriors defence sternly held out and their attack produced some outstanding play which could have produced results but for the Cleve defence.  Halftime came with the Warriors still having an eleven-point deficit.

The Warriors started off the second half at real pace, running more direct and committing the Cleve defence.  Again, conceding a penalty allowed Cleve to kick to the corner and attempt another maul at the Warriors line.  Some outstanding defence kept the wave after wave of pick and drive out and Cleve passed from the ruck to their centre who went in for the try.  Cleve now with 21 points of the board seemed to be out of sight but the Warriors do not give in.  Their strength and fitness started to show through and many of the Cleve players were starting to lag. This extra pace opened up gaps and allowed Dan Martin to score in the corner.  Reece Malone converted from the touchline gave the Warriors a little hope with ten minutes to go and in their own half the Warriors backed themselves with ball in hand.  A tremendous carry by Tom Bradner soaked in the Cleve defence the ball came back to Henry Webb who showed his class and pace with an outstanding break from the recycle Olli Guest burst around the fringes only to be stopped short but with the next recycle the ball came back to Alex Long and the try was scored.  Reece converted and just 5-points behind and five-minutes on the clock this really could be a get out of jail situation.  Cleve were really tired and the Warriors pressed but were unable just to get through.

Real credit to the whole of the team but especially to the forwards who did not have any substitutes.  Cleve were able to swap their front row with the rolling substitute situation giving them a breather. Our forwards played the whole eighty minutes and gave an outstanding display.  There is now a week off before on 5^th October the Warriors have there first home game of the season.  There is now a £5 gate charge for the Warriors games to help pay for the extra distance the team must go in this league.  This does not apply to members with season tickets for the Titans who will have free entry.  There will not be a parking charge.  We hope that many of you will come to watch and encourage the Warriors who are showing some outstanding skills, enthusiasm and ability. Most of all they give everything on the pitch to win the game for our club.

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