CIRENCESTER
TRIES

1

CIRENCESTER
CONVERSIONS

1

CIRENCESTER
PENALTIES

0

OLD PATS
TRIES

4

B Shaw
B Lord
B Grice X2

OLD PATS
CONVERSIONS

4

Sam Perris

OLD PATS
PENALTIES

0

You may have noticed that it’s been wet recently and, indeed, we would have played this match a fortnight ago but for the floods. Still the pitch was very heavy and cut up but at least the sun was out.

As the season is drawing to a climax, there has been a certain amount of maths going on and, if we’ve counted correctly, two wins plus at least one bonus point should see us top the league for the second year running. For this reason, the game faces were on and the intensity was high. Cirencester are always strong and always difficult to beat, particularly at home. We continue to pick a mixed squad, using as many players as we can, and it was good to see the extent of the talent we could call upon today. -we looked very strong despite having a few lads out injured or elsewhere today.

We lost the toss and got to play downhill first half. A good start would be very important as we knew we wanted the bonus point four tries would bring.

From the off, it was obvious this would require patience and continuous intensity. The tackles were flying in and the physicality high. We plainly had the edge in the scrum and drove them back at the first set piece. This seemed to incur the displeasure of the referee who didn’t want to see this level of dominance and restricted our drive from this point onwards. Not an interpretation we’d faced before- curious.

As last week, we had the mercurial Ben S at full back. Plainly Ciren hadn’t read my last match report as they watched in awe as he glided and stepped his way through the centre of their defence leaving a trail of bemused tacklers wondering where he’d gone. Where he was, was under the posts placing the ball down for the first try and the easiest of conversions 7-0.

We were awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle in midfield. Sam kicked it deep into the corner and our lineout secured possession. A powerful maul saw us plough over with the ball in possession of Ben L at the rear for the score. A trickier kick was slotted with aplomb. 14-0.

The dominance in both scrum and lineout gave us a steady stream of possession with the back row picking up from the base of the scrums and our jumpers, particularly Ollie, stealing their ball. The sticky conditions underfoot however made it difficult for our backs to flow. The defensive line speed was, however, good and the tackling robust – we weren’t having it all our own way.

Another penalty kicked deep saw us repeat the drive, splintering the defence and causing chaos. Barney, at 9 was alert to the gaps and sniped for the line getting dragged down just short. Benji was, as ever, in close support and drove over. Again, a nice conversion and we were three quarters of the way to our bonus point.

From this point, Ciren upped their game and kept the ball better. Their tackling was robust and they camped in our 22 for the remainder of the half.

Our tackling was also pretty robust and our defence resolute as we held out. It was not without cost however. Skipper Ollie injured an ankle in collision near the line and we were given a yellow card for an offence in front of our posts that I was unable to discern from the side line. Despite this, we held out till half time without conceding.

Down a man after the break, we came under renewed pressure as Cirencester sought to use the advantage of the slope and superior numbers. Frankly we lost our cool for a while with the captain off the field injured and the frustrations of some decisions not going our way.

Ciren sustained multiple phases camped in our half and were eventually able to cross our line. An accurate conversion from their talented kicker and it was 21-7.

At least we got the ball back for the kick off and a chance to re-settle into our shape. We were back to a full quota of players by this stage and started to play our game.

Our pack were immense today with all our back row prominent. Max SJ often to the fore, but even he was overshadowed by the collective efforts of our two props.

Having to play the whole match due to late illness in the subs, both Luke and man-of-the-match Conor, repeatedly smashed into contact. Hard yards, sucking defenders towards the melee gives time and space to the rest of the team and this pressure brought its rewards. Another penalty for offside allowed Sam to kick us deep once more. It’s a tactic that is very hard to defend, particularly when your lineout is functioning as well as ours today.

As time ticked down and the vital fourth try eluded us, up rose Charlie to grab the throw in and the maul formed round him. There was never much doubt as our forwards had been on the front foot all day. They rumbled at gathering speed over the whitewash and sighs of relief were heard from all corners. Sam, plainly in possession of his best kicking boots today, rubbed salt in the wound for a 100% record off the tee and the match was ours.

Thanks to our hosts for a sporting and convivial post-match interlude. We look forward to seeing them at Everest Road for the final game of our league season in a couple of weeks

Allez les Pats

Tom Perris