Old Pats welcomed Smiths RFC to Everest Road, the only team to have beaten them this season and the much-anticipated return fixture did not fail to live up to its billing. With nothing between the Cheltenham rivals an epic battle ensued with neither side showing any quarter throughout, but it was the home side who came out on top avenging their single defeat of the season, keeping their title aspirations on track.

Losing the toss Pats were forced to play down the slope but it was the visitors who started the brighter running from deep and turning the unsettled home side with probing kicks into Pats territory. Uncharacteristic handling errors from the nervy men in navy & red saw early scoring opportunities wasted with their top try scorer Joe McDean failing to hang on to a pass in clear space. Pats powerful front row trio of Max Folkard, Aaron Shakeshaft and Johnny Daws were prominent in the tight ripping the ball free and with trademark bulldozing runs from Shakeshaft and inside centre Lucas Town repeatedly bursting through midfield, the home side looked threatening.

Captain Sam Rhymes opened the scoring with a penalty kick from 40 meters after 12 minutes followed by another within 10 minutes as the home side found their rhythm. Stepping in for the injured Jamie Thorley the midfielder looked on from the touchline as his young replacement Wyatt Dundas showed tremendous form with sparkling runs from deep and courageous tackling.

Jack Hamilton replaced injured openside Jack Nelson as dogged defence from both sides froze the scoreboard until Pats were found off side on their 22 leaving the easiest of kicks for former Old Patesian Marcus Raymond to take the three points, minutes from the interval.

On the stroke of halftime Town’s power saw him break the midfield defence once again, putting his beleaguered opposite number on his backside he powered over for a fine individual try between the uprights for Rhymes to convert.

Early domination of the second half saw Smiths huge forwards combine forcing an early penalty as Pats failed to roll away followed by a try out wide cutting the deficit to just two points, Rhymes hit back with huge hoof for three points from a penalty just inside the visitor’s half.

Running the line, Pats injured number eight Charlie Maker looked sprightly as he trotted down the slope to award a line out close to Pats line and it was the men in sky blue who’s forward pack drove over for a try converted by Raymond, giving the visitors a two-point lead with ten minutes to play.

Another Shakeshaft break up the slope saw him kick ahead and with James McIntosh chasing, the ball bobbled around in Smiths ‘in goal area’ but refused to go to hand and the chance went begging. A poor clearance from the visitors saw Pats camped out in the Smiths 22 and after a sustained period of pressure with forwards Cassius Davis, Ashley Howard, Folkard, Daws and Hamilton all going close, Pats were awarded a crucial penalty which Rhymes nudged over from short-range restoring the lead. Smiths will rue not stealing the spoils as a last-minute attack down the right saw the final pass clearly thrown forwards and the jubilant Everest Road men celebrated as the referee’s whistle blew bringing a close to a tremendous contest.

Pat 1ST XV will enjoy two weekends break before entertaining Brockworth on the 17th of February at Everest Road

Norman Bell