Gloucester Div Three

Cheltenham Civil Service 19 Minchinhampton 37

MINCH continued their unbeaten start to the season with a fine win at Cheltenham Civil Service.

From the start Minch established dominance and the backs finished off an outstanding team effort, with Allen going in under the posts in only the second minute.

Minch held the CCS rally for a full 15 minutes before a long clearing kick from Minch was returned with pace and CCS scored out wide.

This gave CCS belief and they attacked again, this time their forwards doing the hard work scoring a converted try.

From the restart CCS regained possession and, as the Minch pack were dominating all set-piece play, CCS tapped and went from a penalty, catching Minch off guard to lead 19-7 after little more than half an hour.

A determined Minch regrouped with No.8 Kimber sniping the blindside of a ruck to score. A now-reinvigorated Minch scored again with their backline running a planned move to open up the defence for Allen to get his second.

Minch were back in the lead (24-19) within a minute of the restart when the pack put hooker R Wood over in the corner and fly half Muskett duly converted from the touchline.

Asserting themselves by using the kicking game more and keeping CCS in their own half, Minch produced fluent combination play between the backs and forwards enabling Kimber to score his second, the conversion hitting the cross-bar and bouncing out.

Despite Minch being 29-19 ahead and in control, the resilient CCS sprang back into life thriving from a strong period of possession. They put the Minch line under continued pressure but a resolute defence held firm, forcing CCS to knock-on.

A fly hack upfield was chased down by stand-in winger Ed Wright, and recycled ball was presented to Barrett who raced in to score.

With injuries and a very competitive first hour taking its toll on both sides the game slowed and errors crept in, but the reliable Muskett closed the game out with a penalty, sealing the 37-19 win for Minch.

Captain Matt Austin said: “CCS put in a spirited performance and had us on the ropes a couple of times.

"I’m really pleased with the lads’ response, they showed confidence and determination which underlines our season so far.

"I’ll certainly take a bonus point away to any side.”