Pats made hard work of notching up their sixth win of the season gaining a bonus point in an error strewn messy encounter at Everest Road. With almost unlimited possession the home side missed countless opportunities through handling errors and poor decision making.

Finally after a relentless ten phase Pats attack Will Sanderson raced home unchallenged from halfway for an unconverted try in the left corner.

Giving away considerable weight at scrum time the home side were constantly driven off the ball and Fairford levelled the scoreboard through a well worked midfield move.

Pats Archie Long and Joe Hart are enjoying a rich vein of form both putting in the big hits forcing the opposition backwards. George Warley’s pace down the left wing was too much for the visitor’s defence as he stepped and jinked his way home for an outstanding individual try converted by make shift centre Charlie Maker.

With possession gained in the tight Fairford chose to kick for territory but inaccuracy frequently gifted the ball to Pats youngsters who missed no opportunities to run from deep and when found offside at the breakdown it was Maker who nudged over a penalty from short range, sloppy defence let the visitors in again making it an unconvincing 15-10 lead at halftime.

Playing down the slope Pats pacey backs always looked dangerous and when George Warley found a gap he helped himself to his brace and Pats third. Lacking imagination Fairford kicked away possession all too often making it easy for the men in red to run from deep regaining territory and pining the visitors in their 22.

Utility forward turned centre Charlie Maker had too much power as he barged through three defenders for the bonus point try to round off an imperfect, nonetheless deserved victory.

A Maker penalty meant a converted try was needed for a home win but Pats robust defence held out against a sustained onslaught to claim a hard fought victory.

Old Patesians RFC 25 – Fairford RFC 10

Norman Bell