Match report 1XV: Cirencester 11 v 19 Fairford

This eagerly anticipated derby was watched by a sizeable crowd, who braved the wind and rain to support their respective teams. The game started with both teams playing some frantic rugby and without any pattern being stamped on the game. The early scrums saw Fairford having the upper hand which did not allow Ciren to get a foothold. It was apparent the weather conditions were going to play a part in the out outcome, with high winds blowing across the field.

Ciren did score first with a penalty having hacked down field which resulted in a penalty for holding on the floor 3-0. With large parts of the game played between the 10m lines, any infringements were penalised with a kick to the corner, and it was Ciren who crucially allowed that to happen. The penalty allowed the men in green to set up a well-constructed line out drive to score their first try. 3-5.

This did spark Ciren into action exerting pressure on Fairford in their half, which saw another Fairford infringement allowing Ciren's Harvey Dickenson to step forward and kick his brace of penalties, making the half time score 6-5 with Ciren in the lead.

The theme of the game continued with a very disjointed pattern, and the game littered with penalties, knock on's, and inaccuracy at the lineout. But Fairford hit back into the lead with a well taken try which was converted 6-12.

Once again Cirencester had it all to do but showing great character, they did so by bagging a try of their own with hooker Noah Newman touching down again from a lineout drive making the score 11-12.

With the clock running down the next score would be decisive. Ciren were enjoying lots of possession but it was not in the areas of the pitch to hurt Fairford, and in hindsight kicking for territory would have a been a better option. After a knock on giving Fairford possession from the scrum, they produced the only quality backs move of the match only to be thwarted by a sensational try-saving tackle by Ciren centre Zeb Waite. From the ensuing scrum Fairford moved the ball into midfield and scored the defining try of the game to make the final score 11-19.

For Ciren it was game they never stamped their authority which did not allow them to gain the vital points.