Score 43
Tries 7
Conversions 4
Penalties Awarded 0

29

Score 24
Tries 4
Conversions 2
Penalties Awarded 0

We won the toss and decided to play up hill in the first half scoring early through Max Stanley-Jones who was typically in the middle of everything and hard to stop. Charlie Langmaid converted.
7-0
Old Pats then had much of the play but a turn over and good break led to a converted try for Cirencester.
7-7
After the re-start and several phases we were awarded a scrum, an area of the game we dominated today. Off first phase we passed the ball along the line to full back Henry Brock who threw a deceptive dummy and ran straight to score a well deserved try which was converted by Charlie Langmaid.
14-7
Cirencester started to get back into the game but another timely turnover from Max followed by slick passing through several pairs of hands meant that Charlie Langmaid scored a well worked try in the corner but missed a difficult conversion.
19-7
Cirencester then came back through their strong running centre to score but missed their conversion.
19-12
Old Pats then focused in on keeping our game simple working our way up the field into a good area and put Cirencester on the defensive forcing them to kick for touch. From the resulting line out Harry Burridge at scrum half, who generally tackled and distributed really well, threw a great dummy and ran straight through to score a well deserved try which Sam Stevens converted.
26-12

HALF TIME

Now playing down the slope for the second half we put a lot of pressure on Cirencester with a particularly memorable charge from Ben Lord who deserved to score but was well tackled. After more pressure, we were awarded a scrum from which our captain and number 8 Charlie Houlston had a pick and go but was tackled and we were awarded a penalty for Cirencester not rolling away. Charlie then took a quick tap to crash over for a well-deserved try and the conversion was missed.
31-12
After more disciplined play and several phases the ball ended up in the hands of Adam Ryder and with quite some vision, he put in a cheeky and intelligent chip over the back of the flat Cirencester defence. Under pressure they did not make their touch and our lads passed the ball through several pairs of hands for Sam Stevens to score a well worked try which he also converted.
38-17
Thereafter followed a period a see-saw between both teams but with no scores. During this period it was good to see versatile Ryan McBane coming back from injury and using the slope to put in some tricky kicks for Cirencester to defend. Charlie Langmaid also put in a really important tackle to stop an almost certain try and then ended up scoring a good try himself after picking up a Cirencester kick and using his pace to beat the covering defense. Conversion missed.
43-17
With 10 minutes to go and with the game ‘in the bag’ we let our concentration drop and Cirencester built on several phases to end up camping on our line. Henry Brock and Jack Harrison both put in try saving tackles but the pressure was too much and Cirencester did go over for a well deserved try which they converted.
43-24.
In the last few minutes, Cirencester then scored an impressive solo try up the far touch line beating several of our covering defenders.
43-29

There were so many positives today and this was our fourth win from four of the season, again demonstrating how the boys have matured and how much they are playing for each other as a team.

We are much less reliant on individual performances as evidenced by our well worked tries which resulted from the pressure the team put on Cirencester. Our set plays and rucking are improving all the time.

The same is true for our more organised defensive efforts which are noticeable from the side line. Of particular note, well done to captain Charlie Houlston who, as always, led from the front and was positive in his leadership.

Also mentions to Barney Heath-Smith for his fantastic distribution which helped set the backline alight and to Aidan Bartlett for his important wise and kind words in the after match debrief. Whilst I have mentioned some individual performances it is important to note that everyone contributed to our win today as they have over the past 4 games.

Finally a special thank you to Chris Woodward, who at the last minute stepped in to referee the game after our assigned Gloucestershire RFU ref pulled out. Although looking sweaty at times, he kept calm and did a brilliant job rivaling Wayne Barnes in keeping the players safe and allowing the game to flow – thank you Chris.

Training this week on TUESDAY at Newlands on the 4G pitch from 6 to 7pm.

Hein le Roux