In a thrilling encounter at Bredon Playing Fields it was honours even during the early stages with neither side being able to convert numerous opportunities, but it was the patience and guile of the Cheltenham outfit that saw them through to an important bonus point win, keeping their title hopes alive.

With league leaders Stroud and third placed Widden Old boys both enjoying walkover wins and second placed Gloucester Old Boys winning 3-67 at struggling Minchinhampton, Pats remain in fourth place with two games in hand, all eyes are on next weekend as they prepare for their visit to the Gloucester side sitting only three points ahead.

Bredon opened the scores from the kick off with a long range penalty from the accomplished boot of skipper Jack Dowdeswell when the visitors received well but failed to release the ball at the ensuing ruck.

A ding dong battled commenced with both sides enjoying ample possession, the home side choosing to kick ahead with fly half Dowdeswell varying the play with a range of audacious kicks using the cross field slope to his advantage and Pats running everything from deep.

Finally a Lucas Town drop goal levelled the scores but Bredon hit back immediately with another well executed Dowdswell penalty from 40 meters followed by another to make it 9 – 3.

Pats elusive openside Jack Nelson ripped the ball from a ruck backing himself but ignoring a two man overlap was to prove costly as the penalty won from a high tackle was missed by Town from 15 meters.

Defending their line against a sustained Pats forwards onslaught Bredon finally turned the ball over but when their dauntless half back tried one trick too many, his reckless cross kick was fumbled and scooped up by Max Folkard who offloaded to George Bygrave to dash home unopposed for Town to convert as half time beckoned.

The visitors upped the pace after the interval gaining territory as their rampant three quarters seized upon Dowdeswell’s persistent kicking ahead.

Winning a scrum against the head on their 22 impressive Pats Colt Wyatt Dundas found the outstanding Jamie Thornley whose power and pace saw him out strip three defenders for an impressive individual try under the crossbar from 60 meters, converted by Town.

A fine break by another of Pats teenagers Jonny Fenley reminiscent of father and OPRFC stalwart Bruce, set up a 15 phase forwards drive from the Bredon 22 with Damien Dinwiddy finally powering over from a metre out converted by Town.

With the game out of sight Pats threw caution to the wind in pursuit of the bonus point but Dowdeswell was having non of it and his siege gun boot continually repelled the attack and from a huge punt upfield the Bredon men conjured up a well worked forwards drive with Mathew Peters going over for his 10 to convert, giving the home side a glimmer of hope.

But there was to be no swan song for the tenacious men in yellow and red

Pats stole line out ball deep into Bredon territory and when Dundas found half back partner Town he whipped the ball Pats skipper Kristian Taft, making good ground his well timed pass found Thornley at pace and there was no stopping the powerful centre from halfway as he helped himself to his brace with a remarkable individual try dabbed down between the posts, for his brace and the well deserved bonus point win.

With this performance, Pats will be relishing their encounter at Gloucester Old Boys next weekend.

Norman Bell