Cirencester RFC lose first game of a new campaign (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester RFC lose first game of a new campaign

CIRENCESTER RFC first team slumped to a disappointing defeat to league new boys Chipping Sodbury in the first fixture of their 2003/4 campaign.

On a warm, late summer Saturday afternoon and on an hard, unforgiving surface, both sides were unable to find any real pattern to their play.

As the hosts struggled to find their men in the lineouts, the visitors' back division were unable to capitalise on possession, struggling to find any real cohesion.

As a result, the first half finished scoreless with very few scoring opportunities created.

The game came to life after the break when the Chipping Sodbury forwards drove down the slope, taking play deep into the home 22.

After a couple of rucks, the visitors spun the ball blind and their full-back broke through some flimsy tackling to score a try by the posts, which was easily converted.

Undeterred, the Cirencester pack, led by Gale and Thorn, roused themselves into action.

Centre Duncan began to find gaps in defence and, after one such break, winger Andy Thompson appeared to touch down for the try, only for the referee to rule for a forward pass.

Soon after, however, Town levelled matters when replacement winger Cameron White used his pace and verve to leave the defence standing before passing back inside or centre Chris Davies to score his first try for the club.

When Thompson added the conversion, there only seemed to be one likely winner as the visiting forwards began to tire in the heat.

However, in only their second foray into the home 22, the Bristol team were awarded a curious penalty, which the flyhalf converted to give his side an unexpected victory.

On Saturday, the 1st XV are set to entertain Brockworth in The Vase.