Gloucester Div Three

Minchinhampton 22 Smiths Industries 17

MINCHINHAMPTON kept their 100 per cent record and closed the gap on league leaders Smiths by winning the top-of-the-table clash.

Smiths started brightly and with their speed to the breakdown they disrupted Minch and put them under early pressure.

However, the hosts' early dominance at the set piece led to indiscipline from the visitors, with Minch scoring the opening penalty.

Smiths responded strongly, their driven line-out creating a good platform and with some good off-loading they scored two tries midway through the first half, one of them converted.

Minch remained resolute and excellent handling saw breaks through midfield from Priestner and Langford. Meanwhile, improvement at the breakdown created a try out wide for Brookman shortly after a well taken Muskett penalty, leaving the game evenly poised (11-12) at half-time.

Minch then drove an attacking scrum over the line from close range, with Kimber capitalising and Muskett converting.

Smiths responded with determination and scored a try with 20 minutes to go to get within a point only for their indiscipline again cost them dearly.

Repeated back-chat cost them 30 metres, and with their captain sin-binned for a high tackle Muskett struck two excellent penalties to secure the hosts a fine win.