26

Tries 4
Conversions 3

5

Tries 1
Conversions 0

Prior to this game, having beaten us at their place, Cirencester stood in pole position to win the league and indeed, were talking this up as a must-win match. However, win with a bonus point and it was back in our hands to finish top. So, all to play for……..

It’s fair to say we weren’t at our most potent away from home and left Cirencester feeling somewhat harshly treated by circumstance. However, those were the breaks and all that was history. Today was a new day and a chance for redemption and to right a few grievances.

One of the joys of Gloucestershire rugby being so strong is that many of the lads know each other well, playing for the same school, club or representative teams, then coming up against each other in a different competition. So it was a delight to see some new but familiar faces in the opposition ranks. Oh well. You can only beat what’s in front of you so we’d have to do our best.

The toss allowed us to choose our preferred uphill direction in the first half and, with a heavy pitch and a monstrous pack against us, we had a tough opening half ahead. The game plan, as ever, was to win enough ball to move the opposition around and maximise our pace advantage.

To say our back line was stacked was an understatement with many of our paciest and most talented boys lining up together for, perhaps the last time this season. Some had played for the men’s firsts yesterday too and a 500 mile round trip to Cornwall was no small matter. Could we get enough ball to set them loose? The game, as always, would be won by the pack. The backs would decide by how much.

The opening twenty minutes or so was attritional with no score and some thumping tackles. The game plan of one-out rugby using their giant lock was obvious and potentially successful.

I seem to mention Conor in most reports for his aggressive carrying and today, frankly thanks to excellent Cirencester defence, he didn’t make much ground. But, my God, he made some tackles and blunted their attack. And he wasn’t alone. Lewis was everywhere, applying pressure and Benji likewise was a nuisance. In fact, the whole team were committed and to single out individuals would be to downplay the massive cohesive effort.

Finally, after most of the half had elapsed, we were allowed to secure some ball and mount a few phases. We moved the ball wide and again, the cover got across but Ollie D dropped a shoulder on his man and bumped him off long enough to wriggle over in the top corner.

Sam took a divot from the wide-out conversion attempt and it fell short but we were ahead playing uphill and the force was with us.

Back came Ciren and they laid siege to our line. What looked like a certain equalising try was prevented by multiple heroic tackles with, finally, Benji forcing a knock on under our own posts with a great hit.

Five nil at the half was pretty optimal but the game was by no means over…… Downhill for the second half.

The obvious ploy is to use the slope and indeed we did- kicking from the half backs and applying defensive pressure. A penalty allowed a kick into the 22 and quick ball off the top of the line out resulted. Sam called Charlie on a hard line and Gabe, tracking his movement was on hand for the sweetest of short passes to put him under the posts for a converted try.

A scrum on our left wing and a well worked move saw Ciren drive over in the far corner and a momentary wobble in the force. Could they get back into this?

With Jedi premonition, Henry rose early and high to claim a line out and we could clear our lines. A phase of persistent pressure followed with enough ball to test their defence repeatedly. Charlie P, was hauled in after a threatening break and Gabe again got close with the pack hammering at the doors from the resultant rucks.

Eventually, with the ball spun wide, Henry defying the oxygen debt, got to the breakdown first and noting the lack of guards, picked from the base and crossed in the corner almost unopposed- a tribute to his fitness and wise decision-making. 17-5 – not yet enough.

A sumptuous conversion from the touchline by Sam stretched the lead beyond the margin we needed but a further try for a bonus point was absolutely necessary. Could we get it?

Time was ticking and both teams kept turning over each other’s ball by the colossal defence. The view that we could really use stealing the next line out was expressed among the coaches.

Cometh the hour, up popped Henry again with a vital hand deflecting the throw in a Pats-ward direction. Maybe they were getting tired, maybe he thinks quicker, maybe he’s just a brilliant 9, but from the resulting ruck, Freddy P threw an outrageous dummy and sneaked through the cover to cruise under the posts for the bonus point try. Ollie F took the tee to put the game beyond doubt with the conversion and the referee activated the celebrations with the final whistle.

This group have combined this season to, firstly go deep in the National Cup and now to threaten the league summit. But more than that, they have played some sensational rugby, melded two years’ players into one fantastic team and raised the standards of the entire squad by being inclusive, supportive, remarkable team members.

Will we win the league? Time will tell but we’re in with a chance now.

Tom Perris