CIRENCESTER were frustrated by refereeing decisions and could not peg back Berry Hill despite dominating the closing stages.

Tribute Western Counties North

Cirencester 12

Berry Hill 20

Cirencester had started brightly, spreading the ball to the backs as soon as possible and only poor decision making stopped them from scoring a couple of tries in the first five minutes.

With eight minutes played Ciren broke clear and, faced with a two-man overlap, the Berry Hill centre deliberately knocked the ball on in the 22m area and was yellow carded. The ref awarded a penalty when it should have been a penalty try, and the kick was missed by Gareth Parry.

The first 20 minutes continued in the same way with both sides having opportunities to score only for passes to go astray.

With 23 minutes gone Berry Hill opened their account with a converted try after Will McCarthy was yellow carded for not being 10 metres from a penalty.

With a man down Cirencester were still making chances and on 28 minutes Lester-Powell crossed the whitewash to reduce the lead to two points.

Berry Hill had the better of the referring decisions in the final 10 minutes of the half and converted two penalties to make the half-time score 13-5.

Cirencester came out fighting in the second half and straight from the kick off the forwards rumbled towards the Berry Hill line. The hosts' indiscipline resulted in Parry’s quick tap and go which saw him go over for the try which he converted.

Both sides were making mistakes until midway through the half Berry Hill set up a converted try to lead 20-12.

Cirencester then camped in the home side's half for the the next 15 minutes but the elusive score did not come.