Rugby - Cirencester U13s (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Rugby - Cirencester U13s

Cirencester Under 13's beat Dursley last Sunday in the County Cup quarter-finals at the Whiteway in a tough uncompromising game and now progress through to the semi-finals in April .

Following two narrow defeats against local rivals Dursley earlier in the season there was a tense atmosphere at Cirencester , not helped by the host club having the barest minimum 15 players to call on due to illnesses and school engagements .

Dursley in comparison arrived with a squad of 22 players and a strong record to defend .

Cirencester started the stronger side and immediatedly attacked through their smaller but better drilled forwards . A series of rolling mauls and disciplined rucks resulted in an early score for flanker Sam Lawson who drove through a mass of bodies to secure first blood for the home team .

Cirencester continued to keep up the early tempo but the Dursley defence held up well and flanker , Jon Lane , was help up over the line following a good driving run . As the first half wore on Dursley started to get back into the game and loose play from the Whiteway lads resulted in an equalising try for the visitors . Play then ebbed and flowed but strong defence from either side meant no further scores in the half .

The Cirencester coaches called for an increase in aggression and made one positional adjustment and this resulted in Cirencester's next score .

Captain and centre , Mark Assenti , made a 50yd run down the touchline before being tackled into touch just short of the line . Well won lineout ball took play under the Dursley posts and a resulting penalty ensued - from a tap the ball was fed to No 8 , Duncan Browne , whose rampaging runs had already caused panic in the Dursley ranks , and he managed to drive through for a great team score .

Immediatedly from the kick-off Cirencester went in hunt of another score and good handling by the half backs , James Fisher and Jamie Muir , set free Assenti and fellow centre , Mike Robinson , who scored wide out . Muir converted the kick to give the home team a useful cushion with 15 minutes to play .

The game then became a very hard physical battle with both packs trying to gain the upper-hand . Prominent for Cirencester were Richard Woolven , Richard Hatchard , Ed Alderman , Warren Stubley and Sam Slater who all used low body positions to cross the gain line and drive back their larger rivals .

Dursley's attacks were contained by good tackling by the back three of James Rollett , Chris Gray and David Townsend and long clearance kicks by Fisher and Muir . No further scores ensued and the team were loudly applauded off the pitch by the watching crowd . FINAL SCORE 17:5 .

Cirencester now progress through a semi-final confrontation against Cheltenham to be played on April 14 .