14

Tries 2
Conversions 2

22

Tries 3
Conversions 2
Penalties 1

Since last we played the green and whites of Minch they had amalgamated with the similarly depleted Colts squad of Dursley. They now have a robust and talented group, keen to avenge the earlier defeat at Everest Road. Not sufficiently robust to have enough props apparently though, so scrums we’re uncontested from the start.

A large and lubricated crowd greeted the teams; Minch having substituted adult training for a cider festival so the atmosphere was lively. It was all good-natured so that was absolutely fine, as was the weather. All set for some running rugby and boy, did they run!

Both teams had plenty of size in the packs and pace outside but who would use it best? To use a cliche, it was a game of two halves.

Early on, the Pats were fluid and physical, moving the ball at pace and off-loading freely. Competing hard at the breakdown with our back row trio of Ollie A, Benji and Lewis prominent, Minch conceded a number of penalties giving us repeated opportunities to attack.

Sam kicking and passing cleverly and Freddy an absolute nuisance at half-back controlled the game well and pressure built. Eventually tries had to come and so they did. Freddy sniped through past a ruck to score and neat hands put first Callum and then Ollie D into unguarded space for two more. Sam slotted two nice kicks and hit the post with a third. A kicked penalty added after not releasing at a ruck pushed the lead to 22-0 at the half.

We expected a response and it duly came. The intensity from the home side rose and the Pats started to crack a little giving away handling errors and penalties as we came under pressure. Minch had obviously learned how to move the ball themselves and, frankly, played some great stuff at high pace. Two converted tries resulted from strong carrying off the base of a scrum that might have been more occupied if we’d been allowed to push. No matter, we were still using the ball well but the defensive cover from both teams was excellent.

Both sides were twice held up over the line by committed tackling and Ollie A,  galloping down the touch like a turbo-rhino was felled just short by a brilliant cover tackle.

As the shadows lengthened, once again the Pats broke away with repeated sharp bursts into opposition territory but were just held out by the superb defence. Freddy made another good break but stumbled when about to step the last man and Charlie P and Ollie were hauled down just short.

The pace and desire to move the ball never flagged from either side until the final whistle leaving the Pats with the win but shy of a bonus point that may be important come the final reckoning.

Two more league matches await against Stroud and current leaders Cirencester. Win both and, we should have enough to top the league. Time will tell.

Allez les Pats!!

Tom Perris (Back in normal garb)