RUGBY: Cirencester rue missed opportunities (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Barton Hill's pick and drive tactics sees them edge the game at The Whiteway

4:31pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport

Tribute Western Counties North.

Cirencester 13 Barton Hill 21.

CIRENCESTER were left to ponder and rue missed opportunities following Saturday's home defeat to Barton Hill.

The home side started the game brightly by taking the game to the visitors and keeping them on the back foot. Early pressure led to big centre Rhys Owen crashing over the line following some good driving play.

There was then an exchange of penalties between the two fly halves before Barton Hill started to use their 'pick and drive' tactics to good effect, going over the line to even things up with an unconverted try.

In the second half, the home side camped on the visitors' try line but only saw a return of one try from skipper Alex Hammond.

Barton Hill continued to use their one and only tactic which looked to be gaining little reward other than two penalties. Town continued to press the visitors' line but often took the wrong options, failing to turn pressure into points.

As the game entered the last five minutes, the visitors rallied to attack the Cirencester line and finally went through some poor tackling to go over for a try close enough to the posts to allow the extras to be added which denied the home side of any losing bonus points.