United Bristol Hospitals 1st XV - 12
Old Patesians 2nd XV – 25
Pats 2nd XV extend their unbeaten run to go a whole year without defeat, with a hard fought win over United Bristol Hospitals 1st XV.
The medics were a fast, mobile team, who competed everything and were a highly drilled and skilled team, but the relentless Pats defense and dynamic attack, kept them out enough to prevail.
Pats started up the slope, into a light wind and straight away the game was a back and forth affair, with possession changing hands rapidly from turn over ball at the break down from both sides. Strong defense in the midfield from John Jeffries and Ben Spry kept the Medics powerful runners at bay, and they returned with effective up and under kicks from full back Danny Davis.
The Pats back row were formidable at making first up tackles, and keeping the Medics from going over the gain line. Ben Walsh and James Pettigrew doing all in their power to win ball.
Much of the first quarter was like this, with both sides launching powerful attacks and defending just as well. The Medics were the first to score, they build up a string of phases, and a small lapse in concentration in the Pats defense allowed the Medics second row to run in from 15 meters out. The fly half added the conversion.
With the smoke up them, the Pats took the initiative at last, and fast effective chasing from the kick off allowed the Pats to choke the Medics defense, and earned the turn over deep in their half. Pats were awarded a penalty, and Spry kicked the penalty goal.
Pats took control straight away form the restart. They launched effective crash ball from the base of the ruck, and through the phases found themselves back in the opposition 22. They moved the ball from side to side, on a wide pitch and fast hands from Jon Steckbeck and Walsh found Ben Tupper in the wide channel who was bought down 5 yards short of the line. The efficient Medics scramble defense was able to take advantage from the dropped ball and cleared their lines.
Pats still deep in the opposition half, took advantage of the gaping pitch and strung together an effective set-piece move, which found Joe Ballinger, who scored in the corner. Pats led 8-7 at the break.
Pats restarted down the slope, recovering the ball following a knock on by the Medics prop. From the scrum Pettigrew picked from the base and broke several tackles before being bought down. Pats were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck, and Spry kicked the conversion. With the wind in their sails the Pats team started to play with more confidence, running the ball from deep effectively through their backs linking up well with the forwards.
From the kick off, they returned with more high ball chases. Leading to a dropped ball by the Medics full back. Pats launched another well rehearsed set piece move, and Danny Davis was in unopposed. Spry added the conversion.
The Medics were now fired up. The newly promoted team were no push over, and were keen to get back on the board. They had an effective pack of their own, and put together powerful moves from the forwards and backs to get themselves within reach of the Pats line. Pats were penalised for hands in the ruck, and the Medics opted to kick for touch 5 yards out. The catch and drive move proved effective and the rolling maul crashed over wide on the right.
Keen to undo the previous score, and keep the game out of reach, the pats forwards gave effective crash ball from Josh Stevens and Connor Thompson kept the Medics on the back foot, and Pats were eventually rewarded with another try. From the scrum on halfway, Pettigrew picked from the base, and after breaking several tackles was tap tackled just short, an offload to Leroy Hughes and he was in under the sticks.
The Medics weren't done yet, and gave everything until the final whistle. For the final few minutes they kept Pats camped on their own 22. Relentless defense kept them at bay, and time after time were smashed onto the back foot. Another turnover from Walsh, allowed Pats to clear their lines and the game ended 25-12 to the Pats.
By Pat E Sian
