A glorious sunny afternoon met us as we entered Ossetts Hole Lane. Claverdon had done the double over us last season, and we're a very well-drilled side. Could we wrestle the initiative back and gain a much-needed victory?
The game started brightly, and Claverdon were showing good continuity and impressive support play, as they probed for an early breakthrough.
They were playing down the slope, with quite a stiff breeze at their backs, and from an excellent turnover and diagonal cross-field kick, they breached the Southam defences and scored a five-pointer in the corner.
The referee was unhappy at some Claverdon play, and Charlie Munro struck a lovely penalty between the posts into the wind and from some distance.
Our defence was showing great resilience, and it began to frustrate the baying locals. The game was flowing from end to end, and the home side did manage to breach our defences for another unconverted try.
Not to be outdone, we worked our way upfield, and from another penalty, Harry put a lovely kick to the corner and the driving lineout play was executed to perfection and Charlie Gilkes crashed over in the corner. Unfortunately, an error from the restart enabled the home team to score another unconverted try.
As the first half reached its conclusion, Charlie Munro slotted another penalty, and at half time we were 15-11 down, not a bad return considering our battle with the elements.
Another inspirational team talk by Andy Ford, had the boys firing from the whistle, and Charlie Munro chased another Hewson grubber, to win the race and score by the posts, he upgraded his own try, now could we hold on to the lead? The game was turning into an exciting spectacle, and the home support was roused from its slumbers as they scored a seven-pointer under the posts.

The Southam legion responded with raucous enthusiasm and the players responded, pushing Claverdon back into their trenches.
Harry Hewson slotted a drop goal with the aid of the crossbar, and we were back to within one point.
Charlie Munro was striking the ball off the tee with metronomic accuracy and yet another penalty pushed us into a two-point lead. What happened next was absolutely amazing, from a position of great promise, five metres from our try line, Claverdon were penalised for an indiscretion, a chance to clear our lines. But wait, mouthy Claverdon weren't happy and we're marched back ten.....still mouthing, another ten.....no lesson learned, they continued to harass the official and thirty meters later, much to the hilarity of the visiting Southam hordes, Charlie Munro slotted the penalty, which was now on the halfway line.

As we moved past the eighty-minute mark, we held a five-point lead. Our thoughts turned to whose round it was, and deal with the restart, play down the clock and enjoy a well-earned victory. Hold on, the game kept going and going, had the ref's watch stopped?
The home side kept their nerve and kept probing, and from a quickly taken tap penalty they scored close to the posts and the scores were level. Our frustration was complete when the conversion sailed through the posts, 29-27, YABBA DABBA DOO, screamed the home support, sounds like Wilma was going to be in for a good night.
We were now several minutes into added time, but incredibly the boys kept going, despite incredible tiredness. We got a turnover and the referee's arm shot out in our direction, we'd won another penalty, all be it in a very difficult wide position. Playing with the advantage, the ball was worked to a central position, and from thirty-five metres out, skipper Hewson struck another superb drop goal, the ball left his boot like it had wings and soared like an albatross between the sticks. 30-29, surely that was it !!!!!
Sir had other ideas and allowed the game to restart in the 90th minute.
Out went the officials arm again, this time in the direction of the home side. Twenty-five metres out, just to the right of the posts, and after turning points down previously in favour of trying to breach our incredible defence, they opted for a shot at goal.
This was going to be a painful way to lose the game. But with yet another twist in this amazing game, the Claverdon kicker pushed it to the wrong side of the post, and finally, the referee blew the final whistle....victory 30-29. YABBA DABBA DOO

Well done to everyone who pulled on the Southam shirt today, a brilliant effort.
The returning Tom Crosthwaite was excellent, as was James Stone, who played with a new-found aggression, hopefully, that remains.
Matt Taylor, it was great to have him back, and the contributions from Munro, Hewson, Mumford, Hughes, Parkin, Stuart, Hughes again and the impressive front row, Bird, Gilkes and Tom, were exceptional, Shapley and Cullen were magnificent, King and Jayes from the bench, they all played their part and gave the large Southam support a very enjoyable if not nervy afternoons entertainment.
Fordys face at the end was a picture of joy and happiness, hopefully, this result will give us the confidence and enthusiasm to surge forward for the rest of the season.