Tries 0
Conversions 0
Penalties Awarded 0

Tries 4
Conversions 1
Penalties Awarded 0

On a dry (ish), sunny but breezy day Old Pats headed to West Gloucestershire to Newent for a 2nd team match up.

Newent kicked off, but with a strong breeze behind them the ball went dead.

Pats, playing into the breeze, opted for a scrum, and quickly moved ball left, through three 3 phases which results in a penalty to Pats for Newent being offside at the breakdown. Pats kicked to corner, won the lineout & Capt Connor Thompson drove over for the 1st try of the match. Conversion missed.

After Newent restarted play moved between lineout, attack, scrum, attack again for both sides. Accuracy wasn’t always as good as it could have been but both teams certainly showed their intent to play exciting rugby. Unfortunately Try scorer and veteran Thompson had to leave the field due to injury. Pats dominance at the set piece scrum wasn’t affected as they maintained their advantage up front from start to finish.

A cracking move, sweeping up field saw Pats almost score but the ref deemed that Newent had got back to cover the ball, to the disappointment of the Pats players but the Ref was on the spot and made his decision quickly.

The 1st half was played at a good pace and in a competitive spirit with both sides working hard to put phases together and the Referee allowing advantage whenever possible.

HT: Pats 5 – Newent 0

Pats turnaround for the 2nd half with the breeze at their backs.

Pats kicked off, pinned Newent into the corner, won possession at the ruck, moved the ball left & right through the phases and after a quick tap pen Pats went over for their 2nd try. Again Conversion missed, 10-0 to Pats

As the 2nd half progressed both teams carried on working hard but Newent were penalised in their 22 in midfield. Pats moved the ball as the rain started to fall.

Pats kept moving the ball and eventually picked their moment to score their 3rd try with full back Henry Lewis touching down on his senior debut for Pats after excellent phase play. Conv missed, 15-0.

Pats kept the pressure on, moving the ball and using cross kicks to keep Newent pinned in their half, but credit to Newent as they held their defence well.

A superb move involving the Pats right wing, who took an inside pass, taking the ball up the middle saw an opening for the scrum half who chipped & chased his own kick but didn’t quite get the touch down, with Newent scrambling back just in time.

Continued pressure from Pats & inventive play from Newent kept the game alive. In the last minute Pats pressure told once again when Pats dotted down in the left hand corner, and it was converted for a final score of 22-0 to Old Pats.

Thanks to Newent for their welcome and hospitality.