FAIRFORD RFC go into this Saturday’s derby day with Cirencester on the back of a spirited away defeat at St Brendans.

The visitors, travelling with a squad of just 17 due to injuries and unavailability, held firm with a gritty effort on an unfamiliar 4G surface. A quick break put the hosts 7-0 in front with a converted try, before a second score just before the interval made it 12-0.

Fairford went into half-time knowing that chances were there for the taking, and a sharp break from scrum-half Ben Taylor saw the ball released to veteran Chris Tanner to crash over with fly-half Ben Cohoon adding the extras to make it 12-7. St Brendans capitalised out wide with two further scores to extend their lead to 24-7 before captain Eric White powered over the line after sustained Fairford pressure with Cohoon slotting the conversion for a full-time score of 24-14.

This Saturday sees a double header at Coln House with Fairford 2nd XV taking on their Cirencester counterparts at 1pm as a curtain raiser to the 3pm start between the two sides’ 1st XVs in Wadworth Gloucester 1 for the eagerly-anticipated first ever league meeting between the sides.

F/T: St Brendans 24 Fairford 14