Richard Palmer will go down as a Nailsea & Backwell legend - Hill

A guard of honour, formed by injured and former players and the Ravens under-12s team he coaches,  welcomed Palmer to mark a memorable milestone at West End Park.

Nailsea came flying out of the blocks and scored two quick tries through Elliot Nightingale and captain Luke Sharp. The third score came from a picture perfect maul which Sam Cook went over for his eighth try of the campaign.

After going 17-0 the game turned into a stop-start affair with lots of breaks in play and numerous penalties. Joe Reed added the bonus point try for the Ravens before Will Warman clawed one back for Cleve. 

A fantastic piece of skill from wing Joe Collins saw him dribble the ball to the line after Nightingales chip over the top of the Cleve defence.

With 20 minutes to play the moment the crowd were waiting for arrived as Palmer went in for a try.

The scoring was rounded off by Ben Perfect with Alex Jones adding one conversion and Joe Reed adding two in front of a bumper crowd came to cheer on the team to their 12th victory in a row.

"Dickie has been a constant at the club," Hill said. 

"Playing for the past 20 plus years, as players came in and out, he was always there for this club. He goes down as a club legend and I’m glad his loyalty is getting the recognition it deserves.

"I also think he’s playing as well if not better than he’s ever played to be honest!

"As for the team, I’m over the moon with where we are. If I’m honest I didn’t expect us to the in this position just yet, but these players are fantastic and we are going to do everything we can to keep this run going."

Hill said he is "very pleased" with how the first half of the season has gone and hailed the effort his side have shown in that period.

"(I am) very pleased, surprised but (I am) extremely pleased," he added.

"(A) testament to all the hard work the boys have put in."