Cirencester RFC narrowly defeated away (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester RFC narrowly defeated away

Bishopston 13pts, Cirencester RFC 1st XV 11pts

CIRENCESTER travelled to Bristol for their second league game of the season with a slightly altered line-up due to injuries and non-availability.

The game was nip-and-tuck with Town's forward pack struggling to turn their dominance up front into points and Bishopston carried a narrow lead into the closing minutes and Town's woes were accentuated when Seager's penalty attempt hit the uprights and cruelly bounced into the oppositions' hands.

Coach Myles Ferris needs to rally the squad in preparation for this Saturday's home match against table-toppers, Frampton Cotterell. With a few bounces and decisions going their way Cirencester can get their high pre-season hopes back on track.

Longlevens 2nd XV nil, Cirencester 2nd XV 51pts

Town's second-string, admirably led by skipper Lloyd Williams, continued their good start to the season with a second comfortable win in the GRFU Merit Table.

The forwards won good ball from both tight and loose play and Miles was able to supply his quick backs with ample ball. Notable performances came from new-boy Thomas Frog on the wing and Terry Belsen up-front.

This Saturday Town play Brockworth at The Whiteway in a Merit Table game.

Cirencester 3rd XV 17pts, Coaches & Parents XV 18pts

Sunday witnessed the annual game between Cirencester's 3rd XV and the Mini and Junior Section's Coaches and Parents.

A good crowd saw the 25-man squad narrowly beat the regulars in an absorbing game well refereed by Tim Thompson.

Many of the Coaches still play rugby and their simple approach was based on possession and territory.

The first score came from a short penalty and saw John Newman powering over. Adam Phelps converted but the 3rds were quickly back in the game following a good score from Matt Carter's catch and drive at a lineout. Third's captain, Chris Priestner, levelled the scores with the conversion before Phelps nudged the Coaches ahead with a penalty goal. Half-time: 7-10.

Town's pack was beginning to make the old-timers creak and it was from an attacking scrum that Robin Baldwin on his comeback crashed over to retake the lead for the 3rds.

The Coaches' back-line soon turned things with deft handling against a spread defence and Andy Ramsay scored out wide to edge the Coaches back into the lead but the 3rds weren't going to stop their attacking policy and veteran, Steve Meredith, soon scored their third try.

With time running out the Coaches went back on the attack and were awarded a penalty which Coaches' captain, Simon Collyer-Bristow, controversially asked Phelps to kick. His sweet strike gave the Coaches a narrow lead, which they held on to until the final whistle blew.

This was a good, fun game and all the players are to be congratulated on their efforts. Notable performances were shown by Paul Weavin, Mark Rhys-Thomas and Gary Tarleton for the Coaches and by Mike Smith and Pete Cannon for the 3rds.

This Saturday the 3rds play away against Supermarine Vets.