Match Reports: Sat 9 February 1XV & 2XV

Cheltenham North 39 v 20 Cirencester

#Gloucester1

Cirencester entered this latest Gloucestershire League One game in third position with Cheltenham North in second. It was a must win game for both sides to maintain their push for promotion. The game started with North playing with the strong wind at their backs, but it was Ciren who were on the attack to put a drop ball, which resulted in the North players racing the length of the pitch to score. There started the theme of the game for Ciren with drop balls and indecisive decision-making being part of their undoing. The North went on to score a further two tries, making the half time score 17-0.

But all was not lost for the Cotswold club as with match changing wind this time at their backs a comeback looked to be on the cards, scoring the opening points of the second half with a Scott Cannon penalty. 17-3. Another CN try was followed by a Ciren try by Tom Woodward now 24-8.

The expectation began to gain momentum, but a poor kick off receipt meant North scored their bonus point fourth try. Ciren hit straight back with a Sean Beech try, making the score 27-13. As Ciren gained momentum once again the home side always hit back, this time North charged down a defensive box kick to race over for the try. Ciren did keep working hard to get something out the game with a great team try which Zeb Waite finished off in the corner, converted by Ciren captain Oliver Newman 32-20. In the dying minutes Ciren pushed for their fourth try but with a sloppy pass in mid-field with North winger pounced on the ball and ran the length to score. This last passage of play summed up the Ciren performance. FT 39-20.

Cirencester 2XV 58 v 10 Old Cryptians 3rds

Saturday saw the 2XV resume rugby at the Whiteway after a brief break. The early exchanges saw the visitors retaining possession and camping in the home side’s 22 and testing their defence, leading to early points for the visitors. This galvanized the home side to play with some cohesion and with Rhys Watham and Mike Howells pulling strings Ciren started to gain the upper hand led by a try from veteran skipper Neil Owen among the other scorers.

Half time saw the turnaround at 20 points to 10, with the downhill slope and immediately from the kick off Cirencester ran the ball back under posts for a converted try which led to period of sustained attack with the home side turning over ball in the midfield with Eliott Thompson and Rhys Owen to the fore and free scoring at will. A fine performance against what proved to be a tough opponent on the day.