Rugby - Alan Cuthbert gets first-class send-off (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Rugby - Alan Cuthbert gets first-class send-off

Gloucestershire Premier Cirencester 1st XV 38pts, Chipping Sodbury nil

ALAN Cuthbert played his last game for The Whiteways first team on Saturday and his colleagues gave him a first-class send-off, despatching lowly Chipping Sodbury by 38 points to nil.

In a number of changes to a Cirencester team that had lost just a fortnight earlier, Tristan Chippendale started at prop, Rupert Darch was in the second row and veteran Robin Herbert recalled to cover the front row.

Playing downhill at the start, Town soon had the visitors struggling to get out of their half. After good forward play by Chris Thorn Harry Renton, Andy Ramsey jinked over for the first try.

With this converted by Adam Seager, the hosts were eager for more points. Good drives by Dan Carter and Andy Sanderson released Seager who scored a converted try.

Deft lineout work from Henry Church made it easy for Nick Bassett to play clean ball to the backs. When Town were awarded a penalty, a fine forwards move allowed Tristan Chippendale to power over for a converted try.

The Bristol team then attempted to put Town under pressure, but good cover play from Shane Marriott and Chris Cox kept their team on top. Eventually, this made space for Seager to finish off a team try, making Cirences-ters half-time lead 28-0.

Although the game was virtually won, Town coach Simon Mannix wanted more to increase the league points difference.

But when the weather took a turn for the worse, both sides struggled to produce any really good moments of rugby. In fact, Sodbury attempted to put their opponents defence on the line on a number of occasions.

But the red and blacks held strong, good play by Webb-Peploe and Bassett getting them out of trouble.

Town then brought on Paul Weavin in the centre and Kevin Day on the flank and, following clever forward play, Seager was able to pop the ball over to score his hat-trick.

Shortly after and following a turn-over, Town were able to clear their lines and again put their visitors under much pressure.

Running the ball from one side of the pitch to the other eventually made space for Shane Marriott to score in the corner. Fittingly, it was Cuthbert who added the last conversion of the afternoon.

But with their next league game against Avonmouth coming up fast, Town know theres no room for complacency and coach Mannix will have plenty for them to do during training.