Gloucester Reserve League Div Three

Cirencester II 24 Minchinhampton Rams 19

THE second strings of Cirencester RFC and Minchinhampton RFC produced a vigorous, fast-paced and closely-contested match which the hosts just edged.

Each team fielded a broad spectrum of players in terms of age and experience, with several decades separating the two extremes.

However, the younger players set the tempo; indeed Minch were somewhat startled when Cirencester's lively scrum half Andy Waite sliced his way through the forwards and backs allowing centre Rhys Owen to power over in the first phase of play; Waite converted.

As the game settled down, the Minch pack, through Mike Evans, Andy Burfoot and Matt Clay, begun to dominate the scrummaging and mauling, while Jake Muskett’s kicking established territory for the visitors.

It took several Cirencester defenders to hold up Miles Owen over the line and it wasn’t long before Fraser Smith bulldozed his way over the try line after a bludgeoning scrum.

Cirencester had some quality players though, and became a constant threat with strong running, quality offloading and excellent rucking from Andrews, Hill, McCarthy, Bennett and Cooper.

Tenacious tackling from Minch notably by Read, Magson, Tedham and Richmond repeatedly held the hosts at bay, while Minch competed strongly at every line-out and scrum.

Then, following an offside infringement against Minch, the Cirencester scrum half Waite took a quick penalty to catch the away team napping and scored a sitter.

The end-to-end drama continued as great clean ball for Minch from a scrum followed by swift and accurate passing enabled Allen to race into the corner on the diagonal to even things up once more.

The game was hanging tantalisingly in the balance in the second half, with both teams enjoying some skilful offloading and determined running from all corners of the field, until eventually Cirencester capitalised on some ineffective Minch tackling to take the lead again. However, when Owen’s heavy tackle forced Cirencester to relinquish possession, Rich Humberstone scooped up the ball and streaked over from halfway for a converted try that levelled the scores at 19-19 with 10 minutes to go.

Cirencester upped the urgency and using the downhill advantage well, battered their way towards the try line, with replacement centre Pumfrett going over in the final passage of play.

A superb day out with fine hospitality from the hosts and a welcome drink and traditional sing song afterwards.