Nailsea & Backwell were involved in a thriller with Cheltenham North after beating the freezing weather to pick up a fantastic 45-36 win in Western Counties 1 on Cheltenham Tigers’ AGP Pitch last Saturday.

The Ravens started well with Dec Hay scoring from a good drive by the forwards, Alex Jones converting. That was to be as good as it got for Nailsea in the first half as Aquila Koroitamana, CauCau Sisa, Savenaca Naresia and Jale Bakani scored tries for the hosts with Jade Latola converting three and added a penalty.

The Ravens dug dig deep and showed character as Hay got his second with a great driving lineout from the forwards and Ciaran Askew with a short range effort brought the half time score to 26-21.

Strong Leadership from Luke Sharp and Alex Jones were needed for the second half and tests exactly what was delivered.

With a more direct, set piece orientated gameplan in the second half the Ravens came out of the blocks flying.

Lewis Adams Hoon scored after Jonty Marshall and Dickie Palmer counter attacked a loose kick.

George Stirling added another from more good Maul play and Ben Perfect rounded off a good win for the Ravens in difficult circumstances.

Nailsea sit fourth ahead of hosting Chipping Sodbury next week in their final game before Christmas.