RUGBY: Rampant Fairford show no mercy to Cricklade (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fairford romp takes them to top of the table

3:00pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Sport

Dorset & Wilts Div 2 North.

Cricklade 8 Fairford 45.

TWO weeks ago Cricklade reached the dizzy heights at the top of the table after a great fightback against Wootton Bassett and last week just missed out on a quarter final place in the D & W Plate when they lost at Puddletown in Dorset by one point.

However, in this local derby, they only showed brief glimpses of the resolve, determination and skill that had brought such success.

Fairford wanted everything more than Cricklade; they outmanoeuvered the usually solid Cricklade scrum, put bodies into the ruck while their opponents hesitated, and having secured the ball they used it far more intelligently.

Cricklade were left guessing whether they would face a cultured kick to touch or a charging wing, a drive through the centre or just some good inter play. Cricklade did keep the difference to a reasonable ten points (3-13) with the Fairford scores from an Andy Dowan penalty and a brace of tries for Andy Ewing.

The first few minutes of the second half were all Cricklade, but chances came and went without adding points and as the flush of enthusiasm waned Fairford opened up and added three tries and a penalty before the home team’s Dan Bown scored a try.

Fairford came back immediately and ran in two more tries to complete the rout.

Fairford’s second half scorers were Andy Dowan with two conversions and a further penalty, while there were tries for Ben Hunt, Steve McCann, Colin Bullock and Luke Sawyer.