Old Patesians - 29
Old Redcliffians - 40
Referee: Mr. Richard Bennett
Old Patesians suffered another disappointing afternoon in National League Three South West and slipped to a defeat against Old Redcliffians.
Scotland Lane Park is not dissimilar to the Pats base at Everest Road with a considerable end to end slope which the Pats should have been able to utilise to their advantage in the second half but surprisingly failed to do so.
The Reds and the Pats had both won two games and lost three in the current campaign but Pats sat one place above by virtue of the bonus points they had earned.
Pats started so well up the hill with a five metre penalty line-out caught with authority by second row Nathan Riley and from the controlled drive hooker Leroy Hughes claimed a try as the maul crashed over the line. Centre George Hughes converted and the Pats coaching staff were beaming at this early success.
Riley and his fellow second row Josh Stevens proved to be excellent throughout the match in their line-out sets, winning the ball with calm efficiency and regularly poaching the Reds throw.
However, whilst their scrummaging was just about adequate, their collective discipline was woeful from the outset as they failed to comprehend the decisions from referee Richard Bennett. Worst of all, they did not learn from their mistakes, whether rightly or wrongly as to why they had been penalised, and this ultimately cost them the game.
Reds soon took the lead in the first quarter with three penalty goals from full back Joe Hall as the Pats were pinged for handling in the ruck or not releasing at nearly every breakdown.
Reds are not a big team by comparison with other sides in this league but their forwards are very determined, extremely mobile and they hit the ruck and maul with great intensity and scant regard for their own personal safety and Pats defence was at full stretch to hold the line.
Pats took the lead with exactly the same scenario as their first try with a penalty line-out catch and drive and again hooker Hughes was awarded the score.
From the restart Pats failed to control the ball and after fluffing about on the ground they were penalised yet again for not releasing and Hall stroked over another penalty goal in front of the posts.
Pats sneaked ahead with a penalty goal for centre Hughes but Reds had their tails up now, with their confidence visibly growing knowing that they had nothing to fear from their visitors, and fly-half Mike Schropfer dictated the second quarter with shrewd distribution to give his backs a sniff of the goal line.
Pats defence did well to hold out the rampant Reds with back rowers Henry Tapsell, Marcus Brown and Ben Walsh particularly prominent with solid bone shuddering first up tackles and some muscular counters.
Penalties continued to damage the Pats aspirations and Reds closed the half with a try from a penalty line-out for hooker Sam White, converted by Hall, and the Bristol outfit led by 19 points to 15 points at the whistle.
Despite being pummelled and roughed up by the Reds the Pats scored two tries up the slope and into the wind and could look forward to using these twin advantages after the break.
For a while, after the interval, things looked good for the Pats as they mauled and drove deep into the Reds danger zone. Fly-half Matt Dean made a half break and a neat inside flip sent in centre Hughes for a good try that he converted himself.
Pats again had their noses in front but Reds were not to be denied. Centre Luke Nabaro speared through for a try from quick turnover ball and Hall landed a superb touchline conversion.
Pats were now losing in the scrimmaging department and twice gave up their own feed when they were wheeled through ninety degrees with the ball still stuck in the second row.
Frustration was evident and Hall banged over two more penalty goals.
Pats lost Dean to the sin bin for the team offence of persistent offside and then were marched back a further ten metres for muttering dissent.
Reds second row Anthony Davis took advantage of their confusion with a score in the corner.
The final minutes were all about pride and from broken play Brown secured a vital bonus point with a try in the right hand corner converted from the touchline by Hughes.
Pats still had an outside chance but they continued to leak penalties and Hall closed the game with his seventh penalty goal to bring his personal tally to 21 points, all from penalties, which handed a sever wake up call to the Pats regarding their discipline or lack of it.
Man of the Match:
Reds skipper, No. 8 – Jed Hooper
By Bob Ellis
