Claverdon beat fellow Midlands Four West (South) challengers Old Wheatleyans to move 13 points clear at the top

UNBEATEN Claverdon made it 12 wins out of 12 as they got the better of Old Wheatleyans in a top-of-the-table clash.

The 25-19 victory for the Lions on Saturday means they are now 13 points clear at the summit with eight games remaining.

There was plenty of travelling support for the boys in red and white, and a period of high intensity from the visitors piled the pressure on Old Wheatleyans.

The hosts were perhaps lucky to keep all 15 players on the pitch after repeated infringements.

However, Claverdon made the territorial advantage count, with Chris Calcott kicking two early penalties.

Claverdon then scored the first try of the game when a pitch-long move was finished by George Redwood, who was found by a floated pass from Alex Grove.

Wheatleyans then had a good spell of their own and it needed a last-ditch tackle from Charlie Wakelam to prevent the home team from scoring.

Claverdon would then go on to score against the run of play, with Sam Turrell touching down under the posts.

Calcott’s conversion meant the Lions had an 18-0 lead at half-time.

Wheatleyans responded well in the second half and three tries, two of which were converted, gave the hosts a slender 19-18 lead with less than ten minutes remaining.

Having gone in front, Wheatleyans were then reduced to 14 men for conceding one penalty too many and Claverdon immediately made the man advantage count.

A ruck on the left was spun wide, with James Kirby creating the space for Luke Sibley to speed through on the wing and cross the whitewash.

Calcott made the conversion stick to put the Lions 25-19 in front. Wheatleyans pressed hard to reclaim the lead, and despite a late yellow card, Claverdon held on to extend their unbeaten run.

Claverdon welcome Bedworth to Ossetts Hole Lane on Saturday (2.15pm kick-off).