Having secured the Gloucestershire North league title last week, we were offered the chance to play off against the southern champions, North Bristol RFC.

The team selection was a tricky one for the coaches. Injuries to several players and some boys being involved in the adult finals the day before limited our choices somewhat.

Wanting to include as many of the U18 age group for their final colts game and prioritising those who showed commitment by turning up regularly for training and matches, we chose a squad that showed 13 changes from the team that played in the National Cup.

We really do have a group that has developed this season and we’ve used every single one of them during the last few weeks. Those that missed out this time came down to support and we had a large and vocal crowd with us.

For reasons best known to the GRFU the game was at their place but it was a 4G pitch which suited us just fine.
What was less satisfactory was that they were huge and it was raining before kick off. Not for the first time this season it would be a question of how much ball could we win against a monster pack.

Our own forwards are a hardy bunch themselves though and we had multiple resources for replacements too. What we didn’t tell the opposition was that we were distinctly lacking for backs with only one sub available.

You can tell when the lads are up for it and the focus was sharp. From the kick off we raced up to apply pressure and the hits came hard.
A combination of Lewis and Leon felled the giant number 8 who looked equally surprised and disgruntled that he was going backwards at a rate of knots. That set the tone for the afternoon.

A turn over at the scrum and a trademark Freddy burst opened the scoring after only 4 minutes with a try in the corner. However, we lost our line out a few minutes later and North Bristol showed some nice handling to score in the left corner, too wide for a successful kick. 5-5.

It was plain that, when we kept possession, we could make progress and the pack ground out multiple phases before releasing the backs. Harry had work to do but he beat his man on the outside and dived over in the corner. Sam slotted the conversion from the touchline despite his boots collapsing on him and having to borrow a pair for the rest of the game.

From the kick off we were again able to sustain multiple phases in the pack with support players always available. Once again the backs took over with Ollie D making ground before releasing Harry. Desperate cover hauled him down just short but Tom S, on a short line, crashed over close to the ruck for his second try in two games.

North were leaving their wingers high up the pitch so Freddy and Sam used the space behind with intelligent kicking making them turn. Our kick-chase was good, hemming them in and forcing turnovers. However, we weren’t quick enough on one occasion with Freddy’s kick being charged down. It bounced very kindly for North and they went under the posts. 17-12 but we still felt in control. Our defensive pressure was clearly rattling them and even their giant forwards weren’t able to make ground.

The half time chat focused on moving them around as we perceived them to be less fit than us and we knew the spaces would get bigger as the half went on.

So it proved to be as Sam, at fly half, was able to lead a fluid onslaught with plenty of ball being delivered. Early in the half Harry raced down the left before recycling. The ball flew through the hands again to reach Paddy on the right wing who dotted it down neatly in the opposite corner.

Seemingly not impressed by this display of dazzling handling, the pack kept it close with multiple pick-and-go efforts. Eventually Tom Caine , carrying with force, powered over to stretch the lead to 15 points. Not enough yet though.

From kick off, Benji was taken out in the air for a penalty allowing us to kick deep into their half. As the defence raced up, Sam spotted a gap in the line and went through it getting held up over the line. From the resultant drop out, slick handling put Ollie D into space and George was in the perfect place for the offload to score.

On the fairly rare occasions when North Bristol got some ball, we were brave and committed with our tackles. Ben Shaw covered across to take their winger into touch getting a bash on the nose for his trouble.

There followed probably the most satisfying period of the match as Bristol raised their game and hammered at our line with their huge pack. Time and again heroic, muscular defence held them out and they could not score. Barney, not our largest player by some distance, still put a hit on their prop that slowed him down enough for Lewis, an absolute machine all day, to chop him down short.

Eventually the turnover came and we cleared up to halfway. The line speed of the backs caused panic and forced a sliced kick resembling one of Alistair’s golf shots. It went backwards but Paddy showing intelligent reading of the play, raced up to catch it and sprint towards the corner. Two defenders dragged him down but as he hit the deck he produced the deftest offload to Sam tracking in support who went round behind the sticks. The conversion was a formality and made it 41-12 with not long left. Long enough for Liam, playing on a dodgy ankle, to charge through a line out and rip the ball away from the unfortunate scrum half. Freddy was on hand, as ever, to sweep up the loose ball and nip down the wing beating the last man to the corner.

The ref blew to end the match with us having scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to claim the overall title.

A great game played in a very sporting manner was an excellent end to the season. Our large travelling support were jubilant and the celebrations began in earnest.

Man of the match, named by the opposition, went to Sam for his orchestrating of the attack but in truth, the defence was what won it for us. Never a backward step with intensity and commitment throughout characterised the performance.

The post-season awards were handed out back at the club with much to celebrate. Captain Cam, having lead us magnificently all year, distributed fines to some heinous offenders to much hilarity and this wonderful group of young men ended their season on a high. Onward to next season. Allez les Pats!

Tom Perris