Old Patesians 2nd XV – 70
Chosen Hill Former Pupils 2nd XV – 0
Old Patesians 2nd XV got back to winning ways with the desimation of Chosen Hill 2nd XV at home.
In perfect conditions, not a breath of wind and good 2nd XV pitch conditions, Pats launched wave after wave at a seemingly helpless Chosen Hill defence. They looked to run from everywhere on the pitch with powerful ball carrying, paired with effective support lines, carved gaps in the Chosen Hill line.
Immediately Pats found possession deep in the Chosen half, a trip down the short side to Gethin Evans, who put in a wide pass to winger Ben Tupper, who shook off a tackle to run in in the corner
Chosen kicked back to the Pats forwards who used route one, and crashed it straight back. Direct charges from number eight Jack Paleto leaving the would be tacklers in his wake. The ball was always quickly recycled and shipped out by scrum half Matt Mudway. Quick hands eventually finding center Matt Rowles, who skipped through the midfield and under the posts.
Chosen put the kick off out on the full and allowed Pats to launch from half way. More effective running from the forwards, allowed direct attacking platform for the backs. Fly half John Steckbeck putting his centers to good use to make ground. Another move down the short side, allowed Evens to throw a mesmerising dummy and put himself in under the sticks, conversion added by center John Jeffries. Opting for the drop kick after missing two from infront of the posts from the tee.
Jeffries was next to notch his name on the try list. Steckbeck throwing a miss pass in midfield, created space, allowing Jeffries in under the sticks, again adding the conversion.
The visitors managed to rally together, and put in somre more effective control over the game, but the Pats defence was ruthless and smashed them back at every oppertunity. Patelo putting in his standard big hits at the breakdown and when Chosen Hill knocked on, Pats quickly put the ball out wide to Winger Joe Ballinger who sprinted in un touched from his own 22.
Chosen again made a hash of the restart and Pats were again on the front foot. This time opting for territory, put the ball deep into Chosen's 22. Line out jumper Dom Redbourn was able to steal ball against the throw, but sadly were turned over, allowing Chosen to clear their lines. They opted for the box kick, taken by Tupper who stepped the first defender and found a path through the defence, scoring under the posts. Bringing the half to a close and seemingly no way back for Chosen Hill.
Now playing up the hill and into the low level sun, Pats picked up where they left off. Chosen hill were opting to kick the majority of their possession in an attempt to gain the terretory advantage, but the Pats back three had it covered every time. Ballinger collected the ball and broke through the Chosen line, scoring again from deep in his own half.
The restarted was easily marshalled by the Pats forwards, more powerful running from Chris Jones and substitute Paul Bennett kept Pats on the front foot, which released the backs. The ball being shipped out from Steckbeck at 10, finding Tupper, who put in a beautifuly weighted pass over the shoulder to Colts graduate full back who sprinted in from halfway.
Chosen Hill didn't give up until the end, they looked to make use of the route one example being set by their hosts. The Pats defence was solid, hooked Rob White smashing their center in midfield, supported in defence by Tupper they forced the turnover at the ruck and Pats moved the ball quickly fromt he breakdown. Backrow Leyroy Hughes breaking tackles, eventually finding Mudway, who was seemingly shot as he made his way up the slope, falling on the Chosen 22, he offloaded to Evans who again threw the show and go, crashed over for his second try.
Pats weren't done yet. The battered Chosen Hill were beginning to get agitated, and it was getting heated at the breakdowns. Pats held their nerve, and put the icing on the cake. Redbourn finding his way through the Chosen backline to score up the slope, bringing the game to a close.
Back to winning ways, Pats are top of the Gloucestershire Reserve Teams Premier, now face Whitehall away next week.
By Pat E Sian
