Western Counties North

Cheltenham 7

Cirencester 10

CIRENCESTER completed their first double of the Western Counties North campaign this season with a narrow but deserved victory over Cheltenham at Newlands.

The Cirencester side was filled with experienced players especially in the front five – Keith Dickinson at hooker, after a long absence due to work commitments, Alex Buchalik returning after a ban, and Andy Deacon, the Cirencester DoR, being called into action alongside the returning prop Will Hunt.

This experience proved to be pivotal in the team’s success on the day.

The game started at a blistering pace with both sides trying to move the ball in the cold, blustery conditions.

The Whiteway side were dominating in the scrum and in the tackle area with James Renowden making the difference in every tackle he made. The Red & Blacks moved the ball skilfully wide with powerhouse wing James Isaacs speedily going over under the posts for the first try, and impressive new scrum half signing Ben Taylor adding the extras.

The Tigers hit back with field position, kicking a penalty to the corner, with Deacon pulling down the subsequent line-out drive and sent to the sin-bin.

It gave Cheltenham the opportunity to score with a catch and drive before half-time.

The second period started with Ciren dominating possession without adding to the scoreboard.

Number eight Alex Hammond was in fine form making repeated dents in Cheltenham’s defence, ably backed up by skipper Will McCarthy and second row Luke Newman, who grew in stature as the game progressed.

After turning down shots at goal to set up ill-fated line-out catch and drives from the corner, another penalty was awarded to Ciren and the chance was too good to turn down – with another new signing Tom Horrell slotting the vital three points.

Cheltenham worked hard to get out of their half but the door was slammed shut every time.

Even when the game had to be moved to another pitch due to a nasty injury to a Tigers player nothing changed; Ciren dominated the last minutes of the game as they had done all afternoon.

Director of rugby Andy Deacon said: “The whole team put in a solid performance and delivered on the pitch in an entertaining game where we got the double.

"This weekend sees another local derby against Stroud and I am calling on the guys for the same intensity and skills to capitalise on the victory gained last weekend."

It was a winning Saturday all round for Cirencester as the 2nd XV welcomed Gloucester Old Boys II and won in another tense game.