Cirencester RFC 28 – 10 Old Elizabethans RFC

This game had greater significance as the game was a double-header, league game and an RFU Vase Cup competition.

Old Elizabethans arrived in great form sitting second in the table. The conditions were once again wet, but the Whiteway pitch was looking in good condition considering the recent weather conditions. The game started at a fast and furious pace with Ciren making inroads into the Bristol sides half, led by number eight Andrew Field who had a storming game. With some inevitability it was Field who scored the game’s opening try with a typical bullish surge to the line, Mike Howell add the conversion 7-0. Cirencester were certainly in the mood holding onto the ball, creating chances, and when the old E`s hand the ball their attacks were stifled with some aggressive defence, which was well marshalled in mid-field by centre Rhys Owen.

The second home try came through full-back Zeb Waite the returning full-back after a long injury jinked his way to the line to score a fine try, again Howell kicking the conversion 14-0. Cirencester were now playing some of their best rugby of the season, with the forwards carrying well, and the young half-back of Mike Howell, and debutant nine Tom Mills putting pace on the game. The final score of the half game from that man again Field who crashed over from close in after a great driving maul from the Ciren forwards, with immediate effect the old E`s hit back with an opportunist try making the half-time score 21-5.

The second half never hit the very high notes of the first half in part due to both props Gareth Owen and Darren Stephens who left the field with a broken arm, this disrupted the home side scrum. The line-out though was still working like clockwork, and with an imaginative back peel skipper Oliver Gibson put in a neat pass to Field who completed a great hat-trick of tries, once again Howell adding the conversion. Old E`s did score their second try after some neat handling, making the final score 28-10. The result moved Ciren up a place in the league to fourth and into the next round of the RFU Vase competition. All at the club wish prop Darren Stephens a speedy recovery from his broken arm.