26

Tries 4
Conversions 3

21

Tries 3
Conversions 3

Painswick were our visitors this Sunday and, as is often the case with our squad, we had to shuffle the selection pack thanks to higher callings, injury or urgent Valentine’s Day shopping. No matter, we have strength in depth but we’d need it. Painswick are handy, talented with good coaching and some serious players: a good test for us.

Contrary to the usual trend, we came firing out the blocks, encouraged by the sunshine and the prospect of at least vaguely equitable decision-making from the luxuriantly coiffured official this week. That pink referees shirt matched his eyes after a late night but his whistle was true and the game was on!
Intensity often brings rewards and it was certainly the case today. Early pressure lead to points with Conor – one N and no nonsense- crashing over with his trademark physicality.

We don’t just have beef though. Ben S has always been an outrageously talented player for us though injury has limited him of late. Possessed of pace and a swerve to make a gazelle weep, he carved through to increase our lead supported by some great teamwork in the build up. It’s great to see him back to his devastating best.

Despite another re-jigged back line, we were moving the ball well. More good hands behind the scrum saw Matt cross and the coaches smiling.

However, the opposition we’re going to wake up at some point and they came back at us hard. Hard enough to score a couple of tries before half time to lead at the break by 19-21.
All to play for in the second half and we’d need some resilience. We are fitter than most and, thanks to a big squad, can often call on more subs than our opponents. This is no accident- our policy of keeping as many lads playing as possible means we retain players and it pats off at times like these.

More excellent teamwork saw, I think, Lewis have the ball at the crucial time to nudge us into the lead. Could we hang on to it though?
Yes.
A determined and disciplined defensive effort held them out for a great team win. A nice contrast to last weeks disappointment saw a happy clubhouse atmosphere. Well played Lads

Tom Perris

(Posted by Laurence Hale)