Gloucester Premier

Cirencester 39 Tewkesbury 14

CIRENCESTER maintained their unblemished start to the season – a maximum ten points out of ten – with a scrappy but gutsy win over Tewkesbury.

The early exchanges were even until the home side took advantage of a Tewkesbury error, with Jack Lister slotting a penalty on six minutes.

The next 20 minutes were full of mistakes and infringements from both sides.

But the dangerous Mike Wrona then pounced on a poor clearance kick, hit a fantastic line and several short offloads later Sam Griffiths was there to dart over in the corner.

It was then the turn of Oli Newman to spark another scoring move with the play going from touch line to touch line before James Fisher dotted down.

Just before half-time another poor clearance kick from Tewkesbury saw Luke Newman gather the ball and attack with conviction, before Matt Berry ran in unopposed under the posts.

Lister converted to make it 20-0 to Cirencester at the break.

A rejuvenated Tewkesbury side benefited from a Cirencester line-out mistake soon after the interval to score a converted try.

In the next attack Cirencester lost Zeb Waite to an unfortunate injury when he was clattered by the opposition.

Tewkesbury stepped up the gears and applied 20 minutes of intense pressure. Lister and Neil Bunce both picked up yellow cards and the away team were awarded a penalty try which was converted to make the score 20-14.

Even with 13 players on the pitch the belief from the home side remained and they continued with their exciting brand of attacking rugby.

From a scrum in their own 22 every pair of Cirencester hands were involved before Wrona ran half the pitch to score under the posts; Lister converted for 27-14.

Restored to 15 men, a Cirencester line-out on the Tewkesbury 10-metre line saw Berry snap up the loose ball and beat six would-be defenders to score; Lister again converted for 34-14.

Cirencester's ability to play for the whole 80 minutes was underlined when, with two minutes remaining, another attacking thrust found man mountain Sam Hill on the wing, but rather than power through the Tewkesbury full back he showed delicate hands to put Luke Newman through in the corner.

Special mention goes to Aaron Lockitt and James Fisher for spending 80 minutes in the front row for the first time ever and a superb man of the match performance from Matt Berry.

This Saturday sees a different test altogether with a visit to Berry Hill in the Forest of Dean for a league and cup double header. Seats are available for supporters on the team coach at £10 each.