Gloucester Premier

Cirencester 27 Painswick 10

CIRENCESTER just managed to cobble a side together following last-minute injuries and player cry-offs to record a bonus-point victory over a poor Painswick side.

There was a first start of the season for Alex Buchalik and Cirencester also welcomed back talismanic captain Alex Hammond from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Despite the makeshift nature of the team, Town were never in any real danger of losing to a visiting team that are rooted to the foot of the table with no victories to their name.

Painswick, though, did get the first points on the board when their fly half kicked three points following poor discipline at the breakdown.

However, whenever Cirencester kept the ball and played a few phases they always looked dangerous and when the ball was recycled down the blindside, winger Zeb Waite held off two would-be tacklers to finish strongly in the corner.

Full back Andy Waite converted well from the touchline.

The home side’s scrum was totally dominant, shoving Painswick all around the park. After being held up once, they drove for the line again and with advantage being played, second row Sam Hill smashed his way over for Town’s second try. Waite’s attempted conversion cannoned back off the post.

At half-time, the visiting side utilised the 'laws of the game' and opted for uncontested scrums following their first-half humiliation in this department. Despite this, Ciren were first to make an impression when they were awarded a penalty which Waite duly converted.

Following this came a score for prop Will Hunt. He ignored the five-man overlap, ghosted through a couple of defenders on the 22, dummied the full back and flopped over for a great try.

Looking for the fourth-try bonus point, Ciren emptied their bench and although Painswick scored a converted try, the home side eventually got what they wanted. Following a sweeping counter attack, Buchalik was on hand to finish off in the corner. Waite converted again to finish off the scoring.

This was a satisfactory performance by Ciren against a limited side but it was also one that bodes well for the future. The hosts finished the game with five U19s in the backline.

Town know that the real acid test comes on Saturday when they visit major local rivals Stroud.