Tribute Western Counties North

Cirencester 3

Keynsham 41

FOLLOWING last week’s trip to league leaders Avonmouth, there was no let-up for Cirencester as they went down 41-3 to second placed Keynsham at The Whiteway.

Keynsham fully lived up the their reputation of having one of the strongest scrums and the meanest defence in the league.

Playing against the wind, Cirencester were put under early pressure by their opponents and, following some resolute defence, Keynsham eventually broke through to score.

They added a second shortly after before Cirencester replied with a penalty from the returning Archie Doyle (3-12). Keynsham responded with a series of strong scrums deep in the Cirencester half, which were consistently repelled before the try line was eventually breached.

During the rearguard action Cirencester lost influential James Renowden to a head injury and Keynsham then added a fourth try following a missed midfield tackle.

Cirencester regrouped and mounted a series of attacks deep in the opposition half which were thwarted by the Somerset side through a combination of last-ditch tackles or preventing the grounding of the ball.

Keynsham then scored against the run of play with a breakaway try from their own line just before half-time despite the efforts of MoM Zeb Waite and the improving Kris Humphries.(HT: 3-31).

The second half was a much tighter affair with Cirencester making a number of changes. The match flowed back and forth as the men from The Whiteway looked to claw their way back in the game.

Keynsham’s defence remained strong, however, and they scored another try through their powerful scrum before a final breakaway effort with the last play of the game took the score to 3-41.

Ciren skipper Will McCarthy said: “We continue to regroup knowing that perhaps the toughest tests of the season are now behind us.

"With the injury list gradually reducing, we look to welcome James Isaacs, Richard Tremblen, Adam Barker and Will Seville back into the fold soon.”

This weekend Cirencester travel to seventh-placed Bristol Saracens.