Clevedon's director of rugby, Tony Dauncey, has given his players a "free pass" to prove themselves starting at Midsomer Norton on Saturday (January 22).

Dauncey took over the role from David Owen on an intern basis in October before being permanently appointed this month.

And Dauncey is hopeful that this weekend's encounter at Norton Down is another step in the right direction.

"I hope so. I have no doubt. We have 11 games left this season, and we have given the boys a free pass to prove themselves," he said.

"We are trying to engrain a culture so we are asking the boys to turn up each week and trusting the process and hoping the results will come off the back of it.

"Next week might be the week the result comes and it might not but as long as we are trusting in the process and buying into it we are going to keep going. That's all we are asking off the boys.

"We just need to be able to stat putting the same team out every week in training with the same team and patterns, partnerships and games will come.

"If we have shown the heart and the attitude (Saturday) and last week then sooner or later someone will get a good hiding."

North Somerset Times: Clevedon RFC put in a brave performance against league leaders Matson.Clevedon RFC put in a brave performance against league leaders Matson. (Image: Archant)

Despite putting in battling performance against Matson at Coleridge Vale, Clevedon went down 24-10 last Saturday.

Captained by fly-half Ethan Thomas for the first time, the hosts fell behind from Mike Barton's early try before Thomas pulled three points back with a well-struck penalty.

The number ten saw his next effort drift wide, before the unbeaten league leaders doubled their advantage through Tom Collier with a carbon copy of their opening score.

But back came a spirited Clevedon side, with Adam Livingston crashing over under the posts to level the scores at 10-10.

Matson regained the lead with a powerful finish from Shay O’Malley and added a bonus-point try late in the game through Joe Stokes, but this couldn’t take away from a brave performance from the Seasiders.

North Somerset Times: Clevedon RFC captain Brian Largenton (centre) was playing his first game in five weeks after sustaining an injury at Chipping Sodbury in December.Clevedon RFC captain Brian Largenton (centre) was playing his first game in five weeks after sustaining an injury at Chipping Sodbury in December. (Image: Archant)

"I was really pleased with the boys, we asked them to go out and play without pressure, to give us everything wear your heart on their sleeve and they did," added Dauncey.

"Make no bones about it we are at the bottom of a ladder here.

"This is one of the first steps, we put in a good performance last week against Gordano but it is about backing that up week in week out, being consistent, keep on turning up and keeping on doing the good things.

"I am really pleased with the boys."