Cirencester 29

Hucclecote 24

CIRENCESTER Rugby Club enjoyed a fine victory in rare warm and sunny conditions at the Whiteway.

The pitch was in parts still wet and heavy under foot, but the conditions seemed to suit the home side who enjoyed early possession, playing with authority.

From a lineout in their own half Hucclecote broke out and ran the length to score the game’s first try that was converted. This did not dampen the home side enthusiasm, with Tom Woodward playing at outside half for the first time in a senior shirt, scoring a great team try, and the experienced Joe Hammond adding the conversion to level things up.

Again from deep, the Gloucester side hit back with another well worked try. In this seesaw game Ciren piled forward, with the impressive Woodward floating a great pass over the top to find nippy winger James Firth to score, the resulting conversion hit the upright from Hammond, making the half time score 14-12 to Hucclecote.

The second half started as the first with Cirencester on the front foot. Ben Ramsey the powerful Ciren centre broke numerous tackles to score and Hammond landed a monster conversion to take Ciren into the lead 19-14.

After a great break from the Ciren workhorse captain James Renowden, eventually the ball found speedy winger Joe Essex who scored Ciren’s fourth try, which was converted by Zeb Waite to put the home side 26-14 up.

This score was followed by a crucial penalty kick by Hammond. With time running out Hucclecote suddenly sprang into action scoring two tries making the score 29-24, making the final minutes very frantic, but Cirencester held on to record their first league win of 2018, much to the delight of the large crowd.

Young Ciren prop Sean Beech was voted the man of the match for his high work rate and some impressive defensive work. The win was based on the whole team playing their part, gaining a result that they thoroughly deserved.

Cirencester's last Glos Prem fixture is on Saturday away at Longlevens. Kick off is 3pm.