Rugby triumph over Stroud for Cirencester (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Rugby triumph over Stroud for Cirencester

Cirencester RFC 1st XV 48, Stroud Nomads 8

THE first round of the Stroud Combination Senior Cup saw Town's first team pitted against Stroud Nomads.

With a number of injuries and wedding absentees, Cirencester fielded a lot of their regular second-team players.

Despite these enforced changes and playing up the slope in the first half, Town made a powerful start, with the forwards under captain, Bernie Davies, winning good ball in set and loose play and giving the young back line opportunities galore.

Martin Crouch, Thomas Cury and debutant, Andrew Halsey, turned these into tries, with reserve kicker, Crouch, adding the extras with his conversions.

The second half saw more of the same, with forwards Dan Carter, Rich Williams, Pete Aspin and Neil Bunce allowed to carry the ball up field.

Scrum-half, Steve Thompstone, released Cury and fellow Frenchman, Philippe Vallett, and Halsey for further scores.

Coach, Myles Ferris, was able to bring on all his substitutes.

Despite the visitors scoring a late consolation try, this was an emphatic eight-tries-to-one victory.

Cup-holders, Cirencester, will feel confident of retaining their trophy later in the season.

Cirencester 3rd XV 14, Gloucester Old Boys 2nd XV 0

CHRIS Priestner's team had a battle on their hands against a higher-rated young Gloucester team.

With good handling and pace out wide, Town sensibly reverted to a more limited forward-led game, giving themselves bulk, dominance and old-heads.

Town took an early lead when a forward's catch-and-drive, at the lineout, sucked defenders in, giving half-backs, Tim Robinson and Dave Miles, time on the ball.

A neat pop-pass to inside-centre, Priestner, saw him crash over under the posts. Miles converted.

The game then became one of contrasts, with Town's front-row of Dave Crouch, Chris Fowkes and Lloyd Williams dominating the scrums and Old Boy's backs always looking dangerous in open play.

But solid tackling by Pete Cannon, Steve Langley, Simon Collyer-Bristow and backs, Rob Wagstaff and Scott Lee, kept the whitewash intact till half time.

The second half of this well-refereed game, which simmered with the scores so close, was much the same.

Despite bullocking runs by Cannon and Miles, Cirencester were unable to extend their lead until rash play by the visitors, in defence, gave Town a chance to scrummage five yards out.

Following a number of collapsed scrums and with a penalty-try beckoning, Cannon was eventually able to pick-up and crash over.

Miles added the two points from a difficult angle.

To their credit, Old Boys came back at Town who valiantly defended their try-line for the last ten minutes.