Old Patesians 2nd XV – 46
Cleve 2nd XV – 7
Old Patesians 2nd XV continue their run of form with strong looking victory over Cleve 2nd XV. Pats send them back down the M5 with lots to think about, not just the score line.
Pats started off down the infamous slope, and had to take this chance to build a lead before the tides turned, and play up the hill into the wind in the second half.
Pats took control of the game from the off, the pack leading by example, stamping out any attempts by Cleve, and turning over quality ball. Josh Stevens was as always keen to steal ball at the line out and row forward Marcus Brown and Callum Stonier turned over Cleve at the breakdown. From turnover ball, Pats went through the hands and Brown set up Joe Ballinger to score in the corner.
From the restart, Pats looked to run form deep, and Stonier collected the kick off and shook of tackles to gain the hard yards, a kick for territory and Pats were camped on the Cleve line again. Cleve had a nightmare at the lineout, and just managed to scramble the ball back. They went for the box kick which was charged down and gathered by Paul Bennett for another try, Ben Spry slotting the kick.
With the lions share of the possession, Pats built up quality phases, and kept Cleve buried in their own half for the majority of the match. The forwards would do the donkey work, Simon Brown taking up strong crash ball, allowing the backs to launch attacks, Stecky shipping the ball out to Ben Tupper for a score just left of the sticks.
Again Pats looked to go from the kick off, but a dropped ball gave Cleve an attacking platform. The defense held, and strong midfield tacking from Sam Brown and Spry resulted in a Cleve knock on, giving the ball back. Pats took the short side from the scrum and made good territory. Pats now again on the Cleve 5 meter line, went wide, and Brown crossed the line for a try unopposed.
Pats looked confident at half time, but this was short lived. A botched backs move, left them wide open at the back, and the scramble defense was a few yards short, as the Cleve centre ran in under the posts, with the fly half adding the conversion.
Pats new the danger of the slope and wind, and opted to keep the ball in hand. They ran the ball from deep, maintain ball well. Full back Andy Smitherman running well, off loading to ample of supporting forwards all looking to stretch their legs, in particular Buzzard and Brown, offering off the shoulder support.
The slope had slowed the Pats advance on the Cleve line momentarily, but the built up the phases and a line break from Stonier found pats again on the Cleve line. They took quick ball from the base through Darren Moore, and quick hands from Bennett set up Tupper again for a try.
Pats had a strong squad at their disposal, including a fearsome bench, filled with the experienced heads of Mark Peacey and James King. With the wind in their sails and the game all but tied up, they made some experimental changes. Peacey entered the fray, and Stonier moved to Center. The experiment paid off, and Stonier made use of the possession he had, crashing through tackles, resulting in a try. Spry again kicking well, leaving Pats with a dominant lead.
It wasn't all fun an games for the Pats. They still need to gel better as a team, but victories are victories, and they'll take them all day long!
Pats now sit second in the Gloucestershire Reserves League Premier table, and look to build on that next week with a game again United Bristol Hospitals.
By Pat E Sian
