Cirencester 12 v 15 Dursley; S&D Combination Cup Final

Cirencester 12 v 15 Dursley

S&D Combination Cup Final, Cirencester

The final of the Stroud & District Senior Combination final was a very tight affair played out on the Whiteway ground. Unusually for Ciren they started the game in lack lustre fashion, allowing Dursley to gain the upper hand. Ciren were struggling to hold onto the ball which did not help the cohesion of their play. From a penalty Dursley took a deserved lead with a penalty kick, this was followed by a try whilst the Ciren skipper James Renowden was in the sin bin for a high shot.

With Dursley very much in the driving seat they scored their second try, making the score 0-15 as the half time whistle approached. Finally Ciren managed to get some territory and possession, the ball was fed into midfield to the very impressive Ciren centre who Ben Ramsey who ghosted through several defenders to score under the posts, with the conversion kicked by Ciren fly half Iwan Thomas, making the half time score 7-15.

The second half was the reverse of the first with Ciren dominating the possession and territory. However they were struggling to convert their dominance into scores; several times dropping the ball at crucial times, or making an incorrect decision. Ciren did score the try of the game from deep through Iwan Thomas who broke, a great run with some inter-passing with winger Tom Woodward, who finished off the move to score 12-15.

The game then entered a period of tense rugby with both sides trying to finish off the game and gain the victory and cup. It was Dursley who held on to secure another fine cup final win, with a good effort from Ciren.