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Full match reports below;

NAILSEA & BACKWELL 19pts v WESTON II 20pts

History has a strange way of repeating itself and in this game it did just that. With both sides promoted last season this was always going to be a tight affair. NAILSEA making there usual 4 changes to there starting line-up just before the game also lost 2nd row NICK WEAVER through injury in the first 5 minutes. NAILSEA as last season once again went into a good lead only to lose
concentration for a 10 min spell to let WESTON back into the game. A penalty by centre ROB BAKER opened the scoring followed by a try by no8 TOM CROSSMAN put NAILSEA 8-0 ahead. Another baker penalty plus a try by fellow centre ALEX BLACKWELL gave NAILSEA a 16-0 cushion. WESTON pulled back a crucial converted try to bring the half time score to 16-7 to NAILSEA.

2nd half NAILSEA playing up the slope lost there concentration for a ten minute spell and let WESTON back into the game, 2 try's put WESTON ahead for the first time 16-17. With a penalty by BAKER and one from WESTON made it 19-20 to WESTON. In a repeat of last season NAILSEA were awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game but unfortunately as last season failed to convert and had to settle for a losing bonus point. There was no lack of commitment from NAILSEA, but that ten-minute lapse proved costly. NAILSEA travel to TAUNTON next week in the last game before the Xmas break.

NAILSEA & BACKWELL 10pts v MINEHEAD 8pts

NAILSEA gained a well earn victory at home to MINEHEAD BARBARIANS with a solid defence when under pressure from tough opposition.  NAILSEA playing up the slope were in charge for the first 15 mins but it was MINEHEAD who scored first with an unconverted try in the corner to go 0-5 ahead. NAILSEA charged back with winger and man-of -the-match SCOTT DAVEY going over for a try converted by centre ROB BAKER make the score 7-5 to NAILSEA. NAILSEA pushed further ahead with a penalty by BAKER to go 10-5 ahead at half time,
2nd half saw both sides trying to play open rugby that resulted in an end-to-end encounter. MINEHEAD pulled 3pts back with a penalty to bring the score to 10-8 to NAILSEA. One final assault by MINEHEAD on the NAILSEA line brought a massive defensive effort by the home side that push the visitors 50m back and stifled a scoring chance. The final score of 10-8 brought a hard fought victory for NAILSEA and much needed points for the home side.  Although NAILSEA were far from form in attack, something they will
need to work on! Their defence stood firm.  This game saw the return of centre ALEX BLACKWELL hooker TOM FLETCHER and prop TIM BYLES for NAILSEA after a long spell out. Next up for NAILSEA is a home fixture against WESTON.

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WINSCOMBE 12pts v NAILSEA & BACKWELL 48pts

Nailsea recorded there first away win of the season with a resounding 12-48 win at Winscombe. Nailsea again had to make their usual changes and positional reshuffles before the game, but all the players stepped up to the mark and put in the performance of the season so far. Nailsea started well and controlled the break down area with their forwards producing good ball for the backs to score early try's through winger SCOTT DAVEY and scrum half JAMIE SULLIVAN. Both converted by centre ROB BAKER. BAKER also chipped over a penalty to give Nailsea a 17-0 lead. With full back DAFFY FLOWERS having a solid game and fly half TONY HILL kicking well from hand Nailsea seemed to grow in confidence.
A mistake by Winscombe at a lineout presented Nailsea No8 TOM CROSSMAN with a try, again converted by BAKER with SCOTT DAVEY adding his second try with a neat side step. Nailsea were comfortable half time leaders 29-0.
2nd half Nailsea relaxed for a brief spell and conceded a couple of try’s but responded well to this with a second SULLIVAN try converted by BAKER. BAKER finished off an excellent handling movement by going over for a try himself which he converted to bring the score to 12-43 to Nailsea. BAKER rounded the scoring off by going over for his second try to bring his personal tally to 23pts and the final score to 12-48 to Nailsea.
Nailsea can enjoy a week off before entertaining Minehead Barbarians

IMPERIAL 13 pts v NAILSEA & BACKWELL 6pts

Nailsea had to make late changes to their line up BEN HAWKINS coming in at scrum half and call on the experience of front rower’s ROSS PARSONS and DAVE KIRK added to EVAN HUGHES and STEVE GILLARD and although the first half scrumaging was excellent it was not enough to stop Nailsea going down 13-6 away to
Imperial,
Nailsea were reasonably confident they could gain there first victory
on the road this season and started well with a penalty from centre
ROB BAKER to lead 3-0 after 10 minutes, another BAKER penalty followed
to push their lead to 6-0 after 20 minutes.
Strangely it was Nailsea that were giving away the majority of
penalties with five in the first 5 minutes.
Imperial slotted 2 penalty's to bring the score level at 6-6 in what
was an even first half.
The 2nd half saw much of the same with Nailsea going close on a couple
of occasion but handling letting them down.
The game looked set to finish stalemate with five minutes remaining. But
Nailsea gave away a series of unnecessary penalty’s for Imps to crash over for a late converted try to bring the score to 13-6 to Imps with only four minutes remaining. Nailsea tried but failed to alter the score and the game finished 13-6.
Nailsea did deserve to come away with more than just a losing bonus point but with the luck they are having of late they have to be grateful for small mercy's. 

STOTHERT & PITT 57pts v NAILSEA & BACKWELL 15pts

Nailsea paid the penalty for a poor first 20 minute conceding 3 try's with some poor tackling. After this Nailsea struggled to find any form and leaked further scores, their cause was not helped by the loss of hooker Tom Fletcher.
The only score Nailsea could muster was a penalty by full back Rob Baker and turned around at half time 40-3 down.
NAILSEA had a massive task to reduce the gap but gave it there best shot in the second half. In spells Nailsea again played some excellent phase rugby and their reward was a try by scrum half Jamie Sullivan converted by Baker and one from new signing second row Dan Allison.
Stothert replied with a further seventeen point to bring the final score to 52-15 to the home side.

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Midsomer Norton 24pts Nailsea & Backwell 3pts 

Nailsea travelled to Norton after a weeks break from league rugby but
went down 24-3, Nailsea had to make no fewer than 9 changes to the
starting line up through unavailability and injury, they also had to
make some positional changes before the start.
Taking this into account Nailsea still fielded a strong side and could have won this game but lapses in concentration at the set pieces gave there opponents
opportunities to score what can only be described as soft try's.
Norton used their bigger pack to good use and scored a try plus
conversion within ten minutes.
To go 7-0 up Nailsea turned down penalty opportunities to keep the
momentum up, but their lineout faltered and the chance was gone.
After spending long periods in the Norton half Nailsea did get onto the score sheet with full back ROB BAKER slotting a penalty to make it 7-3.
Norton came back with a converted try to lead 14-3 at half time.
2nd half saw Nailsea again putting more pressure on Nortons line and
having a major share of territory but could not finish off chances!
Norton scored 2 more unconverted try's to bring the final score to
24-3 and a well deserved win. Nailsea have a squad well capable of
contesting in this league but will have to work harder as a squad to rectify the problems in set play that they have before. The visit of top of the table leaders ‘Wells’ next week. 

Oldfield 3's 19-24 N & B 2's

Well a boiling hot day more suited to the beach with the temperature reaching 80 degrees saw a slow and lethargic start from the blacks. Nailsea conceded 1 soft and 1 well worked try both finished superbly by their ginger winger.
From the kick off a superb break by Arron Rice finally woke Nailsea and soon him and Ed Mansfield started running from inside the right area's and Arron scored in the corner. With the back row now dominating and some excellent running a superb angle carving open the Oldfield midfield. With the scored only 14-12 at halftime Nailsea with Adam Morris kicking superbly pinned Oldfield in their own half and soon aeon Nailsea MoM completed his hattrick and Morris converted this also. With 10 mins to go Morris scored a penalty to finish with 4/4. A very good performance but this second team still looks like it has another gear to use. 

N & B II's 29-22 Stothart & Pitt II's

Nailsea who had a record 27 players available for this game chose a very strong side.
Having started off by kissing the toss Nailsea started brightly and within 5 mins an explosive run from evergreen Clive Bowman who was just stopped short of the line. Nailsea as they did constantly from the first half recycled the ball quickly and from 10 meters out Jack McCormack crashed over.
5 minutes later George Mansfield broke free and from the resulting recycled ball jack scored his second senior try. Alex Flower was close with the conversion but no extra points were added. Nailsea using the slope continued to move the ball quickly and with the back row dominating a ball quickly passed through the hands and Sam Brookbank finished near the corner. Nailsea continued to dominate the play and Liam Harris crashed over from 10 meters out and Alex Flower converted. Despite leading 22-0 the ravens went to sleep and a very well worked blind side move saw Stoths score at the end of the half.
After half time a number of forced substitutions were carried out and despite Nailsea's front row of stokes, bowman and Kirk excelling sloth kept the pressure on and Nailsea conceded and despite some great defensive work with 1 minute to go sloth bought the scores level but a great bit of thinking from Hawkins and Morris saw Nailsea snatch a try with the last play of the game.
A good performance but the lack of game time in recent weeks really showed. Nailsea MoM Clive Bowman.

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24/9/11 Chew Valley 30 -  Nailsea and Backwell 8

Nailsea travelled to Chew with confidence from last weeks victory and were expecting a tough and physical encounter with unbeaten Chew, but were somewhat dismayed at the interpretation of the breakdown area.
From the start Nailsea’s defence was tested but held firm and it was not until well into the first half that Chew broke the deadlock with their first try followed by a penalty to go 8-0 a head Nailsea centre ROB BAKER replied with a penalty to bring the first half score to 8-3 in Chew's favour, although chew had the lions share of possession in the first half Nailsea put together some good phases and the score reflected an even half.
2nd half saw Nailsea start with promise but it was Chew’s heavier pack that started to take control in the sets and score 2 try's one converted and a penalty to go 23-3 a head. Nailsea lost full back NATHAN DOWLING and flanker PETE HAMBLIN through injury and had to reshuffle their side.
To the surprise of the line chew were awarded a penalty try in the closing stages to bring the final score to 30-8 to give Chew a well disserved win.
Nailsea can take some pride in this performance particularly in defence and are starting to realise what is expected from them in this league. Nailsea have 2 weeks before there next league game against Midsomer Norton and after analysing this game will have to use that time to find ways a negotiating the hurdles that are put in front of them.

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17/9/11 Nailsea & Backwell 36 Tor 8

NAILSEA finally gained their first victory in Somerset premier with a 36-8 bonus point home victory over TOR. NAILSEA played with passion against a tough TOR side but it was NAILSEA who started brightly putting pressure on the TOR line,but it was TOR that got the first score with a breakaway try to go 0-5 ahead.This shook Nailsea into action although Nailsea made hard work of it winger LAWRENCE TOWNSEND scored in the corner to open NAILSEA's account.
with the score at 5-5 scrum half JAMIE SULLIVAN burrowed over,fly half ROB BAKER converted to make the half time score 12-5.

2nd half saw mistakes by both sides TOR kicked a penalty to close the gap, but NAILSEA started to put phases together that the NAILSEA supporters were so used to seeing last season, scored try's through man-of- the-match Sullivan again, No'8 TOM CROSSMAN and flanker PETE HAMBLIN, BAKER converting 3 to bring the score to 31-8 in NAILSEA favour.
full back NATHAN DOWLING rounded off the scoring with a try in the corner to give NAILSEA a confidence boosting victory over TOR. after a slow start to the season and with injuries and unavailability NAILSEA are starting to put things together but will have to keep the work up in training to prepare for the tough trip to unbeaten chew valley in 2 weeks time but will have gained confidence from this win.

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10/9/11 Nailsea & Backwell 31 - Taunton 2nds 32

 
After last week's defeat Nailsea put in some hard work in training to rectify there problems, and it made a massive difference in the contact area. Nailsea playing down the slope and with the strong wind at there backs pressurised Taunton and were soon on the score board with a penalty by ROB BAKER [fly half]. Taunton scored against the run of play to go ahead, Nailsea responded with try’s by BAKER and LAWERENCE TOWNEND [winger] both converted by BAKER . Another score from Taunton brought the score to 17-12. Just before half time BAKER intercepted on the half to race in for his second try which he converted to make the half time score 24-12

2nd half saw Nailsea make a number of changes to their pack and midfield through injury to add to there already oversubscribed injury list. Taunton’s heavier pack started to cause Nailsea some problems and with the elements in there favour came back into the game. Nailsea’s defending was in good shape with replacement centre WILL MAY putting in some thumping tackles, Nailsea pulled away once again with a try by MICK WATKINS [winger] converted by BAKER to lead 31- 25. With ten minutes to play Taunton scored a converted try to nudge ahead 31-32. With seconds left on the clock man-of-the-match BAKER who had a personal points total of 21 points had a drop goal charged down that could have won the game but it wasn't to be.
This was a game Nailsea should have won and although they are disappointed with the loss they will be pleased with the improvement
from last week. With over half the squad missing from last season Nailsea are rebuilding, but this will take time they just have to be patient.

Nailsea played their first game back in the Somerset Premier and were given a reminder of what to expect in this league.

The game was even for 30 minute, then Avon scored the first of their seven try’s to take the lead. Avon were again on the score sheet to extend there lead going up the hill, Nailsea struggled to gain possession and when they did have possession they gave it up far to easily. Although Nailsea played some excellent rugby in phases they could not gain any continuity, Nailsea did get on to the score board when a good passing movement ended with winger Scott Davie going over in the corner to close the gap. In the second half Avon took control with there bigger pack going down the slope to score four further try’s to gain a well deserved 49- 5 victory

The Nailsea players gave there all in this game particular the back row trio of Jack Quick, Nick Badcock and Tom Crossman. But the Nailsea squad will have to work hard over the next few weeks to compete in this league, it will be a challenge but the players and the club are up for it.

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Somerset 1 champions

Nailsea were roared on by a large crowd of supporters that have been supportive throughout this campaign to see Nailsea crowned champions of Somerset 1 in this 7pts-45pts win over Old Sulians at Lansdowne and make a long awaited return to Somerset Premier.

Although a below par performance by Nailsea, they still managed a 6 try bonus point win and played some excellent rugby at times.
Nailsea took the lead after 2 minutes with a penalty by fly half Tony Hill, this was quickly followed by winger Matt Watkins try converted by Tony Hill to lead 0-10.

After some good handling by the backs centre Alex Blackwell raced in for a try converted by Hill to make it 0-17. Sulians never made it easy for Nailsea throughout the game and came back with a try and conversion to bring the score to 7-17 midway through the first half. This spurred Nailsea into action and they responded with 2 excellent trys by centre Rob Baker and winger Chris Quinn, both converted by Hill, to give Nailsea a comfortable 7-31 4 try bonus point lead at half time.

This score was enough to give Nailsea the title and they tended to relax letting Sulians back into the game and were pressurised for long periods. But Nailsea were not quite finished, an arching run by Watkins saw him sprint in for his second try to bring his seasons total to 42 trys, Hill converted. To round off a great day 2nd row Dickey Palmer popped up on the wing to score a try, the conversion by Hill was successful giving him a personal tally of 15 points and a 100% strike rate with the boot on the day.
When the final whistle blew an exhausted but delighted Nailsea could break out the champagne and celebrate the end of a long hard season they thought would never end.

Nailsea reaped the benefit of the hard work they put in during pre-season and throughout the season to gain there richly deserved
reward. Head coach Leo Costello would like to thank all players, assistant coaches, committee and all supporters for there contribution and the massive effort everyone has put in to make this a successful season.