Old Patesians – 38
Frampton Cotrell – 10
Pats extended their winning streak to four in a row with dogged determination until the end. Resting their county players got off to a flying start and dominated possession and territory from the off.
Playing down the slope with a strong wind some probing kicks from fly half Tom Head kept the visitors in their own 22. From a scrum close to the left touchline Jack Bell drove up the blindside, when brought down quick ruck ball allowed Jamie Leich to whip the ball to fly half Tom Head who broke the line and fed centers Elliot Moore and Andrew Cox who found George Davies with and overlap on the right wing to open scores after 5 minutes.
In spite of their early domination Pats failed to convert several chances and were found infringing at the rucks. Frampton battled up the slope and caught Pats napping with a tap penalty finding space out wide and the match was tied. Pats upped the pace and looked impressive at the rucks winning good ball for Tom Head to punish the visitors with touch kicks deep into Frampton territory.
A well won line out gave clean ball for Jamie Leich to fire a pass to full back Sam Colbert –Smith bursting through midfield and breaking two tackles he crashed over under the posts before converting his own try.
Pats continued to pressure the Frampton line with forwards charges from big Jordon Leonard and energetic back row Jamie Delgado – Morgan but they could not add to the score and at half time the game was in the balance at 12-5 Wholesale changes were made for the second half as Pats rolled out their big guns with instant impact.
Lineout specialist Will Safe was in commanding form securing excellent possession at the front and skipper George Carrie was a menace in the rucks & mauls forcing turnover ball. Ripping the ball out Carrie charged up the slope and was stopped short but with the pack arriving in numbers they produced quick ball for scrum half Nick Chittock to whip out to Tom Head who combined with centre Elliot Moore and fiery winger Tom Briscombe who was held up short but found Chittock on the loop for a superbly worked try in the corner.
Even at full strength the Pats were not having it all their own way as the Bristol side fought back tirelessly pounding the pats try line and forcing some fine defensive work with their bulky centre making some fine runs.
Camped out in their 22 eventually Pats brave defence yielded as Frampton got the ball wide and dabbed down in the left corner taking the score to 17-10. In the final quarter Pats raised their game a produced some champagne rugby as the game opened up.
In a flowing movement from a well won scrum on halfway the ball was swung right to left to Lee Hathaway who out paced defenders with blistering speed for a converted try. With their tails up it was Pats chance to turn the screw and the forward combined charging up field with Will Safe finally coming up with the ball and crashing over for a text book forwards try.
There was to be no let up as the home side sensed Frampton’s despondence and after the ball was worked to speedster winger Jonny White there was only ever going to be one outcome as he raced home untouched from the halfway line for an excellent individual score.
