Another of Cricklade RFC's opponents forced to bite the dust (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Another of Cricklade RFC's opponents forced to bite the dust

ON a day of horizontal rain and gale-force winds, league leaders Cricklade RFC fielded an almost full-strength side to defend a 100 percent record-breaking run

A strong wind, that deflected the top of the Colerne goal posts by up to a meter, slightly favoured the home team in the first half But it soon became evident that lofted kicks and long passes would either go straight to touch or be carried away from intended targets.

This game settled into an almost continuous series of drives and rucks with Colerne in their opponents' half for long spells with the visitors defending as though their lives depended it.

Towards the end of the first half and with Colerne now tiring, Cricklade's John Bucksey finally got the touch down that had been denied only a few minutes earlier.

Although Danny Lloyd's kick was only a few metres out, it was spot on line and only the strength of the wind prevented it from reaching the goal-line.

With the league leaders holding a 5-0 interval lead, the second half continued much the same as the first.

But Cricklade, slowly beginning to get to grips with the terrible conditions, started putting a few short passes together and used educated grubber type kicks to gain valuable ground.

Although Colerne's earlier tenacity was not diminished, their successes were less.

They defended stoutly, but they could not stop Sam Gay's try, although Lloyd's conversion attempt was whisked away by the wind as soon as it came off his boot.

The awful conditions were now sapping the strength from the forwards and freezing the backs of both sides.

The game seemed to be heading for the final whistle when Cricklade somehow managing to string together.

Then a number of short passes put the ball in Simon Howse's hands and he was able to make the try before the defence enveloped him.

Lloyd made a genuine attempt to convert, but it was not a day for kicking success. Cricklade man of the match went to Richard Austen.