RUGBY: Cirencester fail to make winning start on return to Gloucester Premier

The Whiteway ground looked in immaculate condition, even if the weather conditions were indifferent with heavy rain and rumblings of thunder throughout the game.

As expected in such conditions the ball was hard to handle which resulted in very little continuity from both sides.

In the early stages the line-out and scrums were even, but it was Longlevens who gradually put their stamp on the game with bursts from a strong back row setting up opportunities to score – which in the early stages the Gloucester side never took.

Cirencester were scrambling well in defence and when they did have the ball they tried to keep it in hand and attack from deep.

Longlevens pressure paid off with a penalty, which was followed by a try making the half-time score 0-8.

The start of the second half was dominated by the away side who played the conditions well, working the short sides, kicking to the corner, and asking the home side to play from deep.

Longlevens' line-out drive was too powerful for Ciren with two further tries added through powerful pushes to the line.

But this resulted in a period of pressure from Cirencester, with Adam Harrison, the Cirencester scrum half on debut, injecting some pace into their play.

But all their hard work did not result in any points and as they pushed again Longlevens broke away to score their fourth and final try, making the final score 0-25.

Cirencester were disappointed not to score, something they will want to put right in their next game away to Spartans.

q IN a tough away fixture, Cirencester 2nd XV, under the new captaincy of Gareth Owen, battled their way through rain and thunder to gain a solid win against Spartans 2s 19-12.

Next up in the Wadworths 6X league, Ciren welcomes Berry Hill 2s to the Whiteway on Saturday.