Minchinhampton Rams..................... 22

Brockworth II................................ 19

MINCHINHAMPTON Rams started the new year with a hard-fought 22-19 victory over Brockworth.

A largely makeshift Rams side took a while to adapt and it was the significantly more youthful Brockworth side who scored first. As the half went on Minch started to work some good attacking phases with forwards Bell, Maller, Rosser-Smith and the Huggins brothers carrying well. This allowed first Fraser Smith, playing in an unfamiliar centre position, and then Andrew Burfoot to power over, giving the Rams a 12-7 half-time lead.

Minchinhampton dictated much of the second half with veteran Clive Eagles, versatile JJ Wood and replacement Jon Sparkhall as half-backs facilitating the powerful Rams forward pack to wear down the Brockworth defence.

The visitors struck first however as some strong line breaks resulted in a converted Brockworth try. Minch hit back well and it was Sparkhall who capitalised on strong work from Smith, Davis and Taylor down the right side to go over from close range.

The Rams struggled to maintain their discipline at times and the match became scrappy in parts despite an assured performance from the referee.

With just minutes remaining Brockworth moved the ball quickly out wide and took the lead again with a well taken try.

The drama wasn’t over yet though and more good work from the Minch pack set up a drive deep in opposition territory. The maul was collapsed just short of the line but full-back Gabriel Blythe-Haus was on hand to apply the finishing touch with the winning try in what turned out to be the final play of a gruelling yet pulsating game of rugby.