Clifton 2nd XV - 19
Old Patesians 2nd XV – 38
Old Patesians second XV continue undefeated as they avenge the last defeat they endured, in the hands of Clifton over 14 months ago, in a physical and hard fought victory on the road.
Lead by Darren Moore, Pats looked to use the strong wind to their advantage on the pristine pitch into the first half. They stuck quickly, with Callum Stonier taking the ball at the base of the scrum to crash through tackles to score in the corner, Rob Nock adding the conversion from far out on the left.
Pats took control from the restart, Gethin Evans securing ball form the kick off. Pats moved through the backs, Ben Parker crashing ball up the middle, building phases form powerful running angles from Henry Tapsell, Bryce White and Sam Winchcombe. Pats awarded a penalty on the Clifton 22, everyone seemed to line up for a kick at goal, but a quick tap from Nock to Stonier, who again crashed in wide out on the left.
Pats, now with the wind in their sails looked to carry on building their lead, sadly some weak defence in midfield allowed Clifton's jinking fly half to make his way through, offloading out of the tackle, but Pats made good use of their scramble defence, but Clifton were firmly on the front foot, and they crashed over.
The Pats lineout was effective as ever, Evans was able to pickpocket the ball from the Clifton throw, they built effective driving mauls, moving closer and closer to the Clifton line. They shipped the ball to the backs, who set up a ruck in midfield, Moore shipping the ball to Nock with a well executed ball inside to the steaming Evans, who crashed over for another well worked Pats try.
Again, the Pats failed to secure the restart, and Clifton build a string of crash ball phases, eventually breaking the line at around halfway, the Pats scramble defence caught them up at the 22, but Clifton carried on the charge. They built more phases, eventually their full back finding a big enough gap scoring near the posts, the flyhalf adding the conversion.
Eager to get back on the front foot, Pats looked to steal ball where possible. Unfortunately this lead to some slight indiscipline, giving away some weak penalties which allowed Clifton to clear their lines. However, with ball in hand, Pats were effective. Joe Ballinger coming close after a break round the outside from a set piece move. Clifton moved the ball from the line out, and again found a gap in the Pats defence, they again came close, earning a penalty on the Pats 22 in front of the posts, which they elected to kick, failing to score. Pats kicked long from the drop out, Clifton failed to secure the ball, the fullback driven into touch by the chasing winger Ben Tupper, ending the half at 19-12.
Pats started with a flourish, taking on board the advice and encouragement from the experienced coaching duo of Ben spry and Mark Peacey. From the off, they made use of strong crash ball form Tapsell and White, quick ball form the base form Moore found Stonier who again crashed through the Clifton defence on half way, continuing to run the distance, scoring under the sticks. Nock adding the conversion.
The ruthless Pats attack was taking its toll on Clifton, Pats were able to play with authority, now making better use of their backs. Nock pulling hte strings as Parker took the ball in midfield, sucking in defenders, allowing wider play. Duncan Spurrier making effective jinking runs.
Clifton short of substitutes, forced the game into uncontested scrums, which was a hammer blow for the Pats who had reserved their scrummaging impact player for the end, Jason Rickard entering the fray with no ability to exhort his scrummaging skills. Made worse by Clifton loosing their effective fly-half, who was knocked unconscious after meeting Moore in a marginally high tackle. Clifton kicked the penalty way too long, and Pats were let off the hook.
With little pressure on the scrum, Pats used effective pick and go ball, Stonier offloading to Tapsell, who made yard after yard with helpless Clifton defenders on his back. With their foot firmly on the gas, Pats continued to use route one ball. Heath Gunter making strong charges on set play moves offloading to the sea of support on his shoulders from Chris Dean, Parker and Tupper.
Pats suffered an injury to Chris Jones, who had to leave the field, allowing Dom Redbourn on from the bench. Pats kicked to touch from the penalty, giving a strong attacking platform deep in the Clifton 22.
Pats attacked the line with authoritive driving mauls, collapsing just short of the Clifton line. They recycled, Moore finding, White in the short channel, who crashed over in the corner. Nock came close with the kick, but the game was done.
Pats will move clear at the top of the Gloucestershire Reserve Teams Premier, and look forward to the next game against Lydney 2nd XV in a fortnights time.
Man of the match - Callum Stonier
By Pat E Sian
