Cleve 2nd XV - 17
Old Patesians 2nd XV – 22
Old Patesians second XV show great heart come back from behind, and overcome 3 yellow cards in the second half to win away at Cleve.
With perfect pitch conditions and clear weather, it was obvious that Pats were still napping after their 4 week rest over the Christmas period. Cleve launched a wide move from their own line, and made strong yardage early on. Their fly-half opting to kick from here after, finding effective touch clearances, putting Pats deep in their own half. Indiscipline was the thorn in Patesians side all day, and they conceded a penalty, on their own five meter line. Cleve opted for the scrum, and went down the short side, with a three on one over lap, scored in the corner.
This shook the Pats cage, and they came back with a sense of authority they have showed in previous encounters this year. Strong support play out of the tackle from Josh Stevens and Chris Dean, kept Pats going forward, allowing the backs to run in space. Again though, indiscipline was costing Pats dearly, and Cleve were able to clear their lines at vital times.
Cleve eventually failed to meet touch with their penalty clearance, allowing the Pats back three to return on the counter. Quickly recycled ball met returning to fitness James Stickland crashing through the middle. Pats were now camped in the Cleve 22, and Cleve began to show indiscipline at the breakdown. Fly-half Rob Collins slotting the conversion from the 22.
The turning point came for Pats when again Cleve were penalised for not releasing at the breakdown, a quickly taken pentalty by back-row Aaron Ryan set up a ruck, Scrum-half Bruce Fenley opting for the box kick, met by wing Duncan Spurrier on the Cleve 22 and he was agonisingly forced into touch 10 yards from the Cleve line. The Pats lineout jumpers were on form today, and Stephens was able to steal a crucial ball. A well routiened backs move, allowing center Ben Parker to crash through the stroung Cleve defence, scoring near the posts. Rob Collins adding the conversion.
Pats came close to scoring at the death of the half, with Collins opting for the dropgoal, which just sailed to the left of the goal. Bringing the half to a close at 10-5.
Pats looked to carry on where they left off at half time and so they did, or at least tried. Indiscipline at the break down lead to hooker Dean being shown a yellow card, this extra man gave Cleve a way back into the game, they needed little encouragement to take advantage. They shipped the ball wide where an over lap had formed, and their winger was in for his second in the corner.
Pats undeturred by this indiscression continued to attack the Cleve line. Intelligently keeping the ball in hand, they advanced into attacking possitions. Full back Tom Amos made a clever jinking run through midfield, and was bought down on the Cleve 22 line, quickly recycled ball found its way to Parker who was in for his second. Converted by Collins.
This was a really thrilling game, with attacking exchanges taking place throughout. Pats again fell foul, Stephens shown a yellow card for hands in the ruck, and Pats were down to 13. Cleve, now with a mammouth advantage shipped the ball out wide, to another well formed overlap, allowing their second row to run in in the corner. Tying the scores at 17 all.
Pats were restored to 14 men, and looked to attack again, outside center John Jeffries looked to score in the corner, but was adjudged to be in touch. In showing his displeasure at the decision, was awarded a yellow card, and Pats were again back to 13 men.
Now Pats showed their true heart, they defended intensely, fighting back the Cleve attackers. Dom Redbourn leading by example, dumping back his opposite number. After spending the majority of the second half with 13 men, Pats were returned back to 14 with minutes left to play.
A last ditch effort to revive the win, Pats launched from deep, finding wing Duncan Spurrier, who ran passed the first defender, offloading out of the tackle to replacement wing Will Holtham, who brilliantly picked up from his ankles and scored in the corner. Collins hitting the post with the conversion, bought the game to a close at 22-17.
Pats will remain the top of the Gloucestershire Reserve Teams Premier, and look forward to the next game against face United Bristol Hospitals, which if their last match is anything to go by, will prove to be a tough encounter.
Man of the match - Aaron Ryan
By Pat E Sian
