Cirencester 1st XV 36 Painswick 1st XV 19 (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester 1st XV 36 Painswick 1st XV 19

CIRENCESTER secured their place in the final of the Stroud Senior Combination Cup on May 6 by beating a Painswick side who were keen to salvage some pride after a disappointing season, which has seen them relegated into Gloucester One.

For Town, this semi-final was a good indication of the sort of standard they can expect next year, following their promotion to Gloucester Premier.

The game was hindered by an incredibly strong wind blowing up the hill, which made running rugby difficult.

Despite this, both teams attempted to play an expansive game, which was enjoyed by the numerous spectators of both sides.

Cirencester won the toss and elected to play with the wind at their backs in the first half.

Within five minutes, the decision paid off when, after some surging runs by the tight five, scrum-half Nick Duncan showed great strength and a good eye for a gap by fending off several tacklers before stretching for the line.

Adam Seager missed the conversion but Town had the early lead they wanted.

Painswick came back at Town strongly and, because of the wind, kept the ball in hand.

They used their big set of forwards to good effect and managed to drive Cirencester backwards.

However, when they attempted to go wide they found that Town's midfield of Steve Thompstone, Martin Crouch and Seager were in no mood to be breached and, after several big hits, Painswick reverted to using their pack.

Following a quick tap-penalty, Painswick's open-side, Matt Coombs, used his strength to power over for an unconverted try to square the game up. Town settled into their game again and used the wind to good effect by pinning the opposition back.

Following several phases, the ball was switched and open-side Matt Wood cut a great line to wrong foot the defence and accelerate away for Town's second try. Seager converted for a 12-5 lead.

In confident mood, Cirencester started to move the ball around and began to show the sort of form they are capable of.

Forwards and backs were inter-linking well and only some good covering defence kept them at bay.

When they were awarded a scrum on the 22, Thompstone worked a dummy switch before giving a delayed pass to Seager.

He cut through and wrong footed the covering defence to score a converted try under the posts.

With minutes of the first half to go, Town was keen for more points.

When they camped on the Painswick 22, they attempted to go wide.

However, a loose pass was intercepted by the Painswick centre who made good ground down the pitch before linking with his support runners.

The winger eventually finished off the move to score a try against the run of play.

The score was converted to cut Town's lead to just seven points at the turn-around.

Although Town were now playing into the strong wind, they kept the ball in hand and played some good rugby.

Unfortunately, several chances went begging due to last ditch tackles or handling errors.

Painswick, with the elements now in their favour, kicked the corners and managed to pin Town back.

After withstanding around 10 minutes of pressure, the visiting fly-half managed to slice through for a try wide out.

The conversion was added and suddenly the game was all square again. The visiting supporters and players could sense a victory with 20 minutes to play.

However, straight from the kick off, the ball was spilt in the tackle.

Seager picked up the bobbling ball and cut through the defence to score under the posts.

His added conversion meant that Town were back in control straight away.

Cirencester's superior fitness began to tell, and they began running from all over the place.

Back row colleagues, Bernie Davies and Andrew Sheridan, always ensured that they got the ball over the gain line, which enabled Duncan to give the ball to the backs with Painswick on the retreat.

When they advanced deep into the 22, young lock, Matt Carter, set up quick ball. Centre, Martin Crouch, took a crash ball from Thompstone and went straight through the defence for Town's fifth try.

Cirencester pressed for more and kept attacking.

When full-back, Shawn Marriott, looked like he was held up just short of the line, he received an extra surge of power from supporting winger, Charlie Whitfield, who drove his captain over the line to seal the victory for the home side.

Town will now play the victor of the Minety versus Dursley game in the Senior Cup Final, on May 6, at Stroud Rugby Club.

This Saturday, the first XV complete their successful league campaign when hosting Tewkesbury at The Whiteway. All support is most welcome. Cirencester put out four other sides last weekend.

The seconds suffered a large 0-39 defeat to Dursley seconds in the Junior Cup.

The thirds won 39-29 against Gloucester All Blues and the fourths narrowly lost, 27-31, against Minchinhampton firsts.

Town's Colts team continued their great season with a narrow 18-17 victory against a French touring side, Olympique St Genis Laval, who are Lyon's regional champions and had been unbeaten for three seasons.

This Saturday sees a festival of rugby, sponsored by Theakston Ales, at Cirencester.

The Cirencester Vets play a 1.30pm curtain raiser against Supermarine Vets before Town's first and second teams play visitors, Tewkesbury and Dursley, at 3pm, in league and Merit Table encounters.

Following the matches, there will be a leaving presentation to coach, Myles Ferris, along with the senior Tour Auction and a disco.

All Cirencester members and supporters are encouraged to attend.