Cricklade RFC give birthday boy Russ roller-coaster of a ride (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cricklade RFC give birthday boy Russ roller-coaster of a ride

ON the day of club coach Gavin Russ' 40th birthday, Cricklade RFC treated him to a roller coaster of an afternoon in their match against Wootton Bassett.

First they opened up with a storming Paul Howse try that Danny Lloyd converted. Shortly after, captain Steve Baldwin went over, Lloyd converting this too.

After Lloyd had missed a penalty, Bassett came back with a try of their own from Daniel David which they failed to convert. The half-time score of five points to 14 flattered Cricklade.

Early in the second half, Cricklade were awarded another penalty and Lloyd increased the margin by slotting it home.

Bassett, though, were far from finished. When Dave Parker successfully chased a speculative through kick before grounding it behind a Cricklade post, the visitors' defence were nowhere to be seen.

Daniel David converted an easy kick and, only minutes later, he was scoring his second try, which he then converted.

Cricklade were truly stunned by this inspired spell of Bassett offensive play. After 13 victories from 14 games, they now looked like losing two in a row as they went into the final ten minutes.

Pressure to save the game resulted in a penalty for Bassett and Danny Lloyd's kick looked to going all the way until it veered at the last moment and hit the outside of a post.

With the minutes ticking away, Cricklade took possession of a drop out and worked it to Simon Howse.

After collecting the ball, he made a strong and determined run that got him past two Bassett tackles and over the line to put Cricklade back in front.

Lloyd's kick from just right of the posts was virtually the last action of the game as his team an out 24-19 victors. Cricklade man of the match Liam Dunford.