Gloucester Premier

Berry Hill 17 Cirencester 24

CIRENCESTER'S much-anticipated clash with Berry Hill had added spice as it was classed as a league and cup double header.

And it was the away side who earned the bragging rights with a narrow victory.

Traditionally the game is played on a soggy surface which inevitably plays to the strengths of the forward-minded Berry Hill XV, who pride themselves on suffocating any team offering creativity and flair.

However, on this occasion the sun was out and the pitch looked fantastic.

The early exchanges can only be described as brutal but after an early knock-on the first challenge was a Berry Hill attacking scrum, which Cirencester answered with power and accuracy, marching Hill back at a considerable rate.

The resulting turnover led to a Joe Hammond break, but the dream start was denied by the last errant pass.

Hill cleared their lines but only as far as their ten-metre line where the returning Scott Brandreth at hooker made a great dash and the ever-impressive James Fisher bowled over his opposite man to release Sam Griffiths into the corner for a 0-5 lead.

The next ten minutes saw Hill settle into their predictable slow game and a line-out five metres out eventually led to a seven-point reward.

The score stung Cirencester back into life and wave after wave of attacks prompted several infringements and an easy penalty for Jack Lister in front of the posts.

Soon after the restart Hill conceded a penalty on the halfway line which Fisher struck brilliantly between the uprights for an 7-11 lead.

Hill replied with a successful penalty of their own in front of the posts to take the score to 10-11 but with the first half almost over Alex Hammond broke from the back of a scrum in his own 22 before galloping halfway down the pitch only for Hill to kill any sort of attacking momentum again.

However, the referee had seen enough and showed the Hill captain a yellow card for preventing an almost certain score. Half-time 10-14.

The second half saw the home side continue with their traditional 'Forest' rugby and the Cirencester defence held strong.

But after ten minutes a missed tackle from Cirencester allowed Hill to regain the lead with a simple run in under the posts.

The next 20 minutes saw Hill being more than happy to kill any sort of continuity and it took an individual mistake by the hosts in the 65th minute to allow a Cirencester breakthrough.

Fisher needed no second chance, running two thirds of the pitch as the home crowd began to squeal before going over unopposed.

With Cirencester 21-17 ahead it led to a very tense last 15 minutes.

With possession changing hands constantly, one last moment of Hill indiscipline allowed Fisher to slot another penalty and completed a game win for the away side.

Director of rugby Andy Deacon said: “It was a fantastic team effort in our first game on the road and the victory can only boost our young side’s confidence."