Match Reports 2008 - 2009
30th August 2008:
Coney Hill RFC 1st XV 71 - Cirencester RFC 1st XV 14
Cirencester RFC travelled to the Gloucester home of Coney Hill for their first competitive game of the season, in the Gloucestershire county cup. Their opposition, playing three division’s higher than their Cotswold counterparts, demonstrated their clinical finishing from the off, up 20 points in the first 20 minutes. The Cirencester pack competed up front, however the strength and fitness of Coney Hill provided support at the critical moment. In particular the Coney Hill wing’s looked like they will compete in London 2012 against Usain Bolt, scoring three tries in the first half.
Cirencester’s strength up front saw them dominate in the scrums with the front row of Aspin Church and Bunce dominating their opposite men. Just before the half time whistle Genillard, who had moved from the wing to back row, stripped the ball from his opposite man, making the 30m sprint to the line, stunning the opposition. This was easily converted by James Fisher.
Soon into the second half Coney Hill found their feet with two more tries in quick succession after some neat stepping by the centre’s. The Cirencester team kept their heads up however, and even with four injuries, kept their composure and commitment. Driving runs by Matt Wood, Ashley Scrivens and the Veteran Mark Stacey, saw Cirencester slowly work their way up the pitch. From one of these breakdowns the ball broke to Phil Farrow who was able to find Crouch the Crunch in the centre’s, who made a perfectly timed pass for Rowland to run the 20 metres to score under the posts. The last 20 minutes saw Cirencester concede no points, and if this commitment and concentration continues then it looks like a promising season in Gloucester Premier.
Cirencester are at home this Saturday against Spartans in the EDF cup, where they will hope to continue on their promising start to the season.
Cirencester 3rd XV 32 Cricklade 1st XV 8
Cirencester RFC's third-string continued their pre-season schedule last
Saturday with a friendly trial match against local rivals Cricklade who
play well above them in Dorset and Wilts 1 North.
Simon Collyer-Bristow's side went on the offensive from the opening
whistle with their large forwards, Gary Hammond, Nick Handy, John and Andy Milford and Rich Williams carrying the ball well and it was not long before evergreen flanker, David Doyle, backing-up winger Nick
Duncan's run, scored in the corner. Cricklade soon re-organised themselves and came straight back on the offensive using their forwards and centres to strike up the middle of the pitch and it was only solid defense that stopped a score. The attacks kept on coming though and the visitors equalised at the end of the first quarter.
Cirencester nudged ahead through a Dave Miles penalty and a second try by flanker, Collyer-Bristow, who was on hand to crash over following a typically elusive run by right-wing Paul Mason. Miles added the extras. The 15-8 scoreline stayed in place until half-time with the match evenly poised between two sides playing some entertaining rugby well-officiated by local referee, Mr Meredith.
The second-half allowed some substitutions to take place and saw the
hosts take firm control up front in the scrums and this allowed
Cirencester's runners Tim Robinson, Gregg Bayliss and Josh Brierley room to exploit and further tries were scored by Iain Stewart and Tony
Howell, plus a second penalty by Miles. With the stifling heat taking
it's toll the pace of the game flagged, defences were stretched and
mistakes were made - notably a howler from Brockworth RFC Chairman,
Hammond, who fumbled and dropped the greasy ball with the line at his mercy.
The closing score came from Dan Spencer who scored in the corner
following a nifty solo run after Rob Lister and Howell's neat passing in
the centres opened a gap out wide. Miles added the extras to round off a
well-spirited and enjoyable match which both sides will benefit from
when their respective League and Merit Table commence in September.
23 August 2008: Cirencester Senior Squad (34) beat Minety 1st XV (0) in the John Sawyer Memorial Trophy match
Cirencester and Minety Squads with Mrs. Sawyer
Cirencester RFC continued their positive build up to the new season with an encouraging win against local rivals Minety RFC. Cirencester, coached Dean Hammett, who completed seven marathons in seven days earlier in the day, and assisted by Andrew Lock, fired up the squad from the off. A convincing performance by the Cirencester forwards demonstrated the hard work that had been put in during the summer on the scrummage machine. However, the Minety defence was resolute and the first 20 minutes saw Cirencester leading by only five points, after a try by Harmon.
After a brief spell of disruption, which ended with a Minety player red carded for violent conduct, both teams concentrated back on the rugby with positive play from both sides. The new laws allowed more space for both teams to express themselves in the backs, but both defences stayed true to their hard work of preseason.
With 20 minutes to go Cirencester led seventeen points to nil with further tries by Scott Brandreth and Luke Fisher. The fitness work which the Cirencester squad had received from the coaches during the summer, started to pay off in the last 20 minutes with a further three tries from Fisher and Thompstone in the backs, and Nav in the forwards finishing off a successful day for the Cirencester squad. The pressure will now be on for those final places available in the senior squad, with games against Brockworth mid week and the County Cup game against Coney Hill on Saturday.
23 August 2008: Cirencester 3rd XV (12) lost to Royal Logistics Corps (39)
Cirencester 3rd/Vet's XV got the 2008/09 season off to a good start with a rousing game against the visiting Army team. Mark Stacey's team came off second-best against a cohesive opposition team containing a number of talented individual players but stuck to their guns throughout three well-contested periods of play. Cirencester performed well up front in tight play but lacked some dynamism in the loose against their larger and fitter opponents.
The Army had the better of the first period of play with Cirencester
having to defend their line but gradually the home team regained their
poise and had some decent possession to work with. Town scored two tries
through Nick Duncan and Chris Priestner.
This Saturday the 3rd XV take on visitors, Cricklade, in another
pre-season trial game.
5 August 2008: Portway 10 a-side Tournament
Last Saturday at the Portway 10 a-side Tournament Cirencester RFC
comfortably beat St Mary's, Old Redcliffians and Keynsham in the 20 minute long games incorporating the new ELV'S, and narrowly lost to Avonmouth OB's (the eventual winners), 10-5, in the last play of that particular match.
Cirencester were runners up of the tournament losing on points difference by one point. Some really good open rugby was played by the team, the new laws were well respected, with good discipline and a good effort was delivered by all the squad on a very warm afternoon. Particular mention of Martin Crouch and youngsters, Rory McCarthy, Josh Brierley and Steve Brown, who all excelled in the fast conditions.
Archived Match Reports: 2007 - 2008
3 May 2008: Cirencester 1st XV (69) beat Fairford 1st XV (10) in the Combination Senior Cup Final
Cirencester won the Stroud and District Combination Senior cup with an emphatic victory against Fairford on Saturday.
Both teams travelled to Fromehall Park, home of Stroud RFC, for this end of season game. Although on league form Fairford were, perhaps, favourites one can never be sure on how things pan out in cup games.
Cirencester using a team largely unchanged from that which played at North Bristol the fortnight before started in top gear. An early scrummage allowed them to demonstrate their upper hand in the set piece - something Fairford appeared not to have counted on - and the ball was moved wide for an early score by Ed Alderman.
A further 3 tries for Cirencester's pacy backs,and almost total possession meant that, the first 20 minutes made the game look perhaps more one-sided than it was. Although Fairford appeared to lack the pace and precision required to counter Ciren they stuck to their task ably. With Ciren in control of the game Fairford got frustrated - an exchange of punches between the Fairford hooker and Ciren No 8, saw both teams reduced to 14 men for the last 10 minutes of the half
Ciren had the game in the bag by half time but, in spite of well chosen words from team manager, Andy Thompson, they didn’t get things their own way. Unforced errors and too many penalties allowed Fairford both control of the ball and field position - both of which they used to good effect as, firstly Ciren conceded a penalty and secondly, a converted try.
Fairford's rally was brief - Cirencester pulled themselves together and on a warm afternoon in front of an enthusiastic crowd threw the ball around. With support runners to hand the tries started to come thick and fast - all the backs and backs replacements scored at least once bar Phil Farrow who, working with good ball from James Fisher, controlled the backline to great effect.
Ciren's forwards weren’t overly tested but Sullivan, playing his final game for Ciren, and Wood dominated the lineout and open side Luke Fisher appeared to be at every break down.
Coach Hammett has many positives to take from his 3 months in charge but he is not sitting back to celebrate - pre-season training starts in 6 week's time!!
3rd May 2008: Cirencester 3rd XV (17) beat Cainscross 2nd XV (7) in the Combination Bill Adams Trophy Final
Cirencester's 3rd XV captained by Mark Stacey retained the Stroud Combination Bill Adams Trophy in a well-contested match against Cainscross 2nd's on a warm early afternoon at Stroud RFC.
The holders started strongly with good runs from their powerful forwards, John and Andy Milford, Roger Cass, Rich Williams and John Newman but the Cainy defence held firm and closed down any threats from the Cirencester backs when fly-half, Dave Miles, threw the ball wide. The opening score came following a good passage of midfield play by centres, Dave Lewis and Giles Brockbank in tandem with Rob Wagstaff and Andy Ramsey and from quick ruck ball Nick van der Beaker Bassett scampered over out wide. This settled Stacey's team but instead of trying to stretch Cainscross the Town forwards initiated a series of rolling mauls which were easily defended by the physical Stroud side. Late in the first half the game plan changed and Bassett started to probe the gaps with good support from flankers, Stacey and David Doyle, and Cirencester had a number of 5 metre attacking scrums which their tight-head prop, David Lloyd, exploited well and number 8, Newman, got the credit from a scrum pushover. Miles converted for a 12-0 half-time lead.
The second half opened with a good score out wide from portly winger, Dickie Hemming, following quick midfield passing and several Cirencester substitutions were then made which possibly changed the immediate momentum of the game and following an awkward long kick Cainscross pressured the Cirencester whitewash eventually scoring a deserved converted try from a rolling maul. The closing 15 minutes was all Cirencester with some cameo runs from Chris Priestner, Simon Collyer-Bristow, Tim Skelton and Taz Taylor leading to good territory. Miles, Newman and Lewis were all held up on the line and no further scores ensued before referee, Gary Thomas, blew up for full time and Stacey received the trophy from Stroud Chairman, Dave Crampton.
Cirencester : Lloyd (Skelton), A Milford, J Milford, Cass, Williams, Stacey, Doyle (Collyer-Bristow), Newman, Bassett, Miles, Hemming, Lewis (Priestner), Brockbank, Wagstaff, Ramsey (Taylor).
26 April 2008: Cirencester 2nd XV (5) lost to Painswick 2nd XV (32) in the Combination Junior Cup Final
Ty Stubley's young Cirencester second-string side travelled to Dursley's
picturesque Stinchcombe ground last Saturday to take on an experienced
Painswick side in the final of the Stroud Combination Junior Cup.
Despite a promising start for Cirencester and the opening score and a
tight first half ending at 5-5, the Painswick side then used all their
guile and know-how to pull away in the second period and deservedly win
the trophy.
The conditions were warm and sunny with a gentle breeze as Cirencester
fielding eleven U19's in their squad started the game with real tempo
and with fly-half, Dave Evans, spinning the ball wide at every
opportunity in an effort to tire the older and slower Painswick forwards
things looked good for Stubley's side. It was no surprise to the large
crowd when from a Dan Wilson break on the left and some good
inter-passing between Town's forwards and backs ended with hooker, Simon
Waite, scoring under the posts after 5 minutes of frenetic play. Matt
Harman nervously scuffed the conversion attempt. The next ten minutes
was all Cirencester but final passes were fumbled and last ditch tackles
were made and slowly the Painswick side started to win some ball and
slow the game to their preferred slower pace and they gained a foothold
in the Town half. Painswick pounded the Cirencester line but the
defence, where Adam Reeves and Ashley Scrivens stood out, held firm.
'Wick then missed two relatively easy penalty kicks but still the
pressure came and the turning point of the game occured when Rhys Owen
was penalised for a professional foul and a cynical fracas broke out
resulting in 3 yellow cards - 2 for Cirencester's Owen and Ben Hunt and
1 for the Painswick captain, Fred Hayward. From the resulting penalty
Painswick's influential lock crashed over to level the scores.
The second-half seemed evenly poised but Painswick with a one-man
advantage exploited the gaps and eventually scored out wide to take the
lead. This was followed up by an immediate Painswick try from the kick
off and with a 5-15 deficit and the 50:50 decisions going against them
the belief of the young Cirencester side started to ebb away and
Painswick turned the screw with two tries under the posts from their
large number 8, Rob Andrew. Stubley brought on his substitutes and his
backs tried to break up the game with some good individual runs by Josh
Brierley, Craig Hughes, Harman, Jay Pyman and Tom Barefoot but the
support failed to keep the pressure on and Painswick withstood the
attacks well. With the game coming to an inevitable close and with
tempers fraying a number of scuffles broke out and two players were sent
off for fighting before Painswick deservedly closed the game out with a
late try in the corner and a 32-5 win. Though a large loss Stubley's
side, packed with youth, deserve credit for getting to the final and
making the winners work so hard for their victory.
Team: B Hunt, S Waite, N Handy, T Stubley (C), A Reeves, S Brandreth, S Brown, A Scrivens, R Hazzard, D Evans, D Wilson, J Brierley, R Owen, C Hughes, M Harman
Reserves: N Owen, T Barefoot, J Pyman, W Stubley
19 April 2008: Cirencester 1st XV lost 17-14 away at Old Richians
Cirencester started this, their final Gloucester Premier league game of the season, in the same positive fashion that they finished the previous week’s game – heads up and running rugby
Playing with the biting wind behind them Ciren immediately had 2nd placed North Bristol on the ropes and took an early lead with a well taken penalty from James Fisher. Ciren controlled the set pieces well and supported ball carriers well putting North Bristol under huge pressure resulting in the conceding of a further 3 penalties, 2 of which Fisher converted. Ciren’s game plan was to move the ball – something they did to good effect – and to pressurize North when they had the ball. Luke Fisher was, once again, outstanding at the breakdown, ably supported by Matt Wood and Mark Brereton with veteran Paul Weavin dangerous with the ball in hand.
From a set piece just inside the North Bristol half the ball was shipped wide. In an unconventional move the Ciren backs passed the ball without drawing their men or passing the gain line but the pace of the passing gave Henry Bird sufficient space to make an excellent break. He was caught just short of the line but was able to off load to Martin Crouch who scored an unconverted try.
Cirencester went into the break deservedly 14-0 in front.
This was, however, to be a game of two very different halves – as so often in this situation Ciren sat back seeking to defend their lead rather than hassling North. In early exchanges Ciren infringed giving North a shot at goal. Ciren were fortunate that the ball bounced off the upright allowing them to clear their lines. Following 3 changes by the home side North adopted a pick and drive strategy which ended with North’s perennial poacher, Alex Featherstone, stealing the touchdown by the posts. The conversion bounced off the cross bar and went through to bring the score to 7-14. A further long range penalty shortly after reduced the deficit further.
Ciren were now becoming masters of their own demise – individual errors and poor decision making allowed North Bristol more territory than they perhaps deserved. Ciren cause was not helped when they were reduced to 14 men following the sin binning of loose head prop, Brereton. The need for front row cover meant the loss of Luke Fisher who made way for Neil Owen. In spite of being a man light in the scrummage Ciren held their own but eventually the pressure told and North’s persistence was rewarded when Lambourne crashed over by the posts. North Bristol’s conversion put them 17-14 ahead as the minutes ticked away.
North Bristol kept Ciren in check with two huge drop-goal attempts – both were missed – and Ciren were unable to get sufficient field position to reduce the deficit and once again suffered a narrow defeat.
Having seen such a positive first 40 minutes Cirencester coach, Dean Hammett knows he has players of sufficient ability to compete, and win, at this level but, having seen the second 40 minutes, knows he has to work on mental application. Ciren finish the league 3rd from bottom – whilst promotion and relegation issues are not resolved until May it is hoped that this will be sufficient to keep them in Gloucester Premier next year. A victory by North Bristol over Chew Valley in their play off next week would certainly assist.
Cirencester’s final game is the Stroud and District Combination Senior Cup Final against Fairford – to be played at Fromehall Park, Stroud on 3rd May.
19 April 2008: Cirencester 2nd XV drew 12-12 away against Cheltenham 3rd XV
Cirencester 2XV took a strong side to the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham for a "friendly" against the home side's 3XV. A draw was a fair result in what proved to be a feisty, fast match that contained 3 yellow cards, both sides came out to play attacking rugby and was a good show for the spectators.
Cheltenham would have probably have expected to control this match with a similar side having put Cirencester away by 60 points a few weeks previously - that result was not to be repeated. The first 10 minutes saw Cirencester getting the better of the scrums, territory, possession and scoring opportunities - players opting twice to cut back into traffic when the try line beckoned out wide.
Cheltenham got on the board first through a break against the run of play and then shortly after extended their lead by scoring down an undefended blind side.
Cirencester continued to play well in defence (plaudits to Evans, Genillard and Halsey for their midfield tackling), at the scrum and breakdown. Always trying to release their quick backs it was Seb Genillard who scored both Cirencester's tries under the posts. Unfortunately Matt Harman did not have a kicking tee and had to drop-kick both conversions: the first successfully, the second crucially wide of the right post.
Cirencester were looking for a competitive match to sharpen them up before next Saturday's Cup Final against Painswick and that they got!
Cirencester: 2 tries (Seb Genillard) and 1 conversion (M Harman)
Cheltenham: 2 tries and 1 conversion
19 April 2008: Cirencester 3rd XV drew 5-5 away against Dursley Vets
Simon Collyer-Bristow's side travelled down to their old rivals Dursley and in very unseasonal wind and rain played an exciting but low-scoring game - probably one for the rugby purist rather than youngsters wanting to see Barbarian-style running-rugby.
The visitors fielding their usual gnarled old forwards had to adapt their game facing a solid set of opponents whose only game-plan was to maul the ball downfield from anywhere on the pitch. This they did to great effect as the game went on but by then Town had taken the lead following some swift passing between Dave Miles and Giles Brockbank which allowed Mike Smith to collect the ball and slide over in the corner. Miles conversion attempt hit the post and slid by. With a well-contested half coming to a close Dursley hacked some spilt lineout ball upfield and a dastardly bounce twice tricked full-back Rob Lister and the hosts luckily scored under the posts. Their white-booted scum-half then sliced the conversion kick to leave the game evenly poised at 5-5 at half-time.
The second-half saw Town's pack under pressure in scrums and mauls but John and Andy Milford, David Lloyd, Roger Cass and Pete Cannon stuck well to their guns whilst Collyer-Bristow, David Doyle and John Newman scavenged and tackled around the fringes. Cirencester's policy was to get the ball away from the tight and into open space and several times Nick van der Beaker Bassett, Brockbank, Dickie Hemming and Daniel Biggles-Spencer broke free only to be hauled down short of the line. The final ten minutes saw a final concerted push from Dursley and only valiant defence from all the Cirencester team plus reserves, Tim Skelton and Chris Priestner, kept them out.
Though a low-scoring draw this was a good performance by the Cirencester squad and sets them up well for their defence of the Bill Adams Trophy at Stroud RFC on Sunday week against Cainscross 2's.
12 April 2008: Cirencester 1st XV beat Old Richians 1st XV 13-0 at The Whiteway
Cirencester took control of this game from the start and playing attractive, running rugby, secured a vital victory in this penultimate game of this season's league campaign - one that it is hoped goes a long way to securing their future in Gloucester Premier.
Buoyed by the previous week's Cup victory against Stroud the home team started with confidence, moving the ball well and taking the play to the opposition. 3rd placed Richians won enough ball in the early stages to threaten but with a fly half throwing uncatchable passes and their backs under pressure from a rush defence ball went to ground too often. The intensive training session on the Thursday before the game paid dividends as Cirencester dominated scrummages and more than held their own in line outs. An early passage of play saw Ciren set up camp in Richians 22. Cirencester set out their stall by opting for a scrum when awarded a penalty - not only did Ciren win the ball setting up James Fisher for a try but the Richians tight head sustained a rib injury which resulted in him leaving the field.
With the wind behind them Ciren sought to make much of the play. Further pressure resulted in a penalty that was converted by Fisher. Ciren dominated possession and territory for significant periods in the first half and when in their own 22 defended valiantly. The margin of lead whilst heartening for the Ciren faithful was perhaps less than it should have been.
Cirencester turned round at half time with Paul Weavin replacing Matt Carter, playing into the wind and knowing that Richians were likely to come back at them. Previous games have seen leads squandered by naïve play but Ciren set themselves well - the back 3 of Ed Alderman, Henry Bird (fresh from duty with England Colleges) and Nick Warren collecting kicks and countering strongly.
With the forwards recycling ball quickly it was only a matter of time before chances came. Veteran centre Stu Rowland took his - crashing over from 10 yards out - the defending player taking the full force and injuring his shoulder in the process. The conversion was again missed.
By now Richians were suffering with injuries to 2 further players meaning that they saw out the game with only 14 men but did not give up one bit and showing character they pressurized Cirencester into conceding ground. Cirencester danced with the devil infringing several times when Richians were in striking distance but eventually secured ball and cleared their lines.
Ciren were rightly jubilant at the final whistle as their league fate is now in their hands - a win at North Bristol next week will ensure their survival, failing that at least 2 of the teams beneath them will need to win against higher-ranked teams to see Ciren relegated. The season has been a roller coaster - let's hope the last league games have no more twists and turns.
12 April 2008: Cirencester 2nd XV beat Dursley 2/3 XV 36-20
Cirencester traveled to Dursley to play a combined 2nd/3rd team in what could have been a tricky fixture. However, the early exchanges made it clear that Cirencester had sufficient control up front (especially in the scrums) to provide sufficient quality ball for the backs to win the game.
However, late in the first half Cirencester found themselves trailing 13-10 to the hosts. All of the Dursley points being the result of Cirencester errors: 2 kickable penalty infringements at breakdowns and turning over the ball whilst trying to make a "miracle pass" gifting a try. However, Cirencester tightened up their game and added 3 further tries to Dursley's 1 in the second half to rack up a convincing victory.
That makes a run four straight victories and provided Cirencester 2s keep the momentum up this coming weekend they should go into the Junior Cup Final against Painswick (back at Dursley) with confidence high.
Dursley: 2 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties
Cirencester: 5 tries (Brierly 2, Waite, Owen, Scrivens, Brown), 3 conversions (Harman)
12 April 2008: Cirencester 3rd XV vs. Longlevens 2nd XV
Cirencester 3rd XV were badly let down by Longlevens 2's last Saturday when the second-placed Gloucester club failed to appear for their own home game. Town therefore win the GRFU Merit Table 4 title by a clear margin having lost just two away games. This Saturday Chis Priestner's team travel to play Dursley in a friendly.
5 April 2008: Cirencester 1st XV beat Stroud 1st XV 27-21 at Fromehall Park
Following the disappointment of a narrow loss in the league the week previously Cirencester returned to action on Saturday in the Stroud Combination Cup semi final against local rivals Stroud – the team that beat them in the final last year.
The Cirencester team showed a number of changes from the week earlier - notably Ed Alderman playing on the flank, Dan Carter returning in the second row and Nick Warren, returning to his old club, at Full Back.
As one would expect from a team placed a league higher, Stroud started the stronger, early pressure resulting in avoidable errors and Seb Dix kicking 3 penalties to open up a 9-0 lead. After 21 minutes, Ciren got into their stride and broke through the home defence for a try by number eight, Nav. Although the conversion was missed it was evident that Cirencester were very much in the game.
Seven minutes later, Stroud were back in the driving seat when, after good interpassing in midfield, the ball was moved wide for winger Jimmy Sharples to cross in the corner for a 14-5 interval lead.
A score early in the second half may well have clinched the game for Stroud but it was Cirencester who took the play to Stroud from the kick off and it was no surprise when, after 45 minutes, they reduced the deficit, with a Seb Gennillard pressuring the catcher of a tasty cross field kick from Phil Farrow. Cirencester's stand-in captain on the day Luke Fisher wrestled the ball free to score an unconverted try.
Ciren now had their tails up and, six minutes later, stole after lineout ball, and drove for the line scoring through scrum half,James Fisher. Ciren were in front for the first time. Just before the hour mark a well worked move allowed Ciren to extend their lead with a well worked try by centre, Martin Crouch.The conversion was added by Farrow .
Stroud were struggling to get a foothold in the game – their lineout being targeted by Dan Carter and Jason Sullivan but, with ten minutes left they gained a lifeline when good handling and passing by the threequarters gave Sharples a chance to run. He was soon closed down but kicked into the Cirencester 22 where possession was regained and Dave Evans, a Stroud replacement, took the scoring pass to cross by the posts. Dix added the conversion and the gap was closed to one point.
However, two minutes later, Stroud were pinned back in their own 22, panicked under pressure, and a catalogue of errors presented Cirencester with the deciding try by Luke Fisher. The conversion was missed but Cirencester held out for the last three minutes until American refereee, Richard Parker, on exchange from New England sounded the final whistle to the jubilation of Cirencester. The dejected Stroud team left the field knowing that this was the first time in their club history that Cirencester had beaten them but the result reflected the inventiveness and commitment of the Ciren boys. The final is on 3rd May at Stroud RFC between Cirencester and Fairford.
This Saturday Town entertain Old Richians at home in the league knowing another win will give them hope of remaining in Gloucester Premier. Support will be welcome
5 April 2008: Cirencester RFC 2XV win 31-29 away to Old Centralians 2XV
Cirencester travelled to Old Centralians for a friendly with a few players short of a full team. Old Centralians generously loaned the visitors 3 players to ensure a match could be played. In dry but windy conditions the game set off at a frantic pace with both sides deciding to run the ball at all opportunities. Cirencester got the better of the early exchanges going 2 tries up through scrum half Ryan Hazzard who hacked through a loose ball to touch down a la Shane Williams and Simon Waite put through under the posts after good forward work down the left touchline.
Old Centralians then got right back into the game with some quick scores and the game stayed within a score from then to the closing whistle. Cirencester rode their luck but in a very open and fast game where able to match Old Centralians and a second half hat trick by Josh Brierly seeing Cirencester home to a 31-29 victory with Ryan Hazzard's 3 conversions to the home side's 2. The referee denied Old Centralians the chance of a winning score at the death adjudging the final pass to be forward.
5 April 2008: Cirencester 3rd XV vs. Gordon League 3's - match abandoned
Paul Weavin's depleted team welcomed their old Gloucester rivals to a cold but sunny Whiteway on Saturday and a rare-old confrontation took place before a serious 4-man collision at the beginning of the second-half led to an air-ambulance and ambulance having to be called and the match was correctly abandoned. Gordon League had taken an early-lead against a comatose Town side using an overlap on the blind side to score. Cirencester's forward pack with John Newman, Rich Williams and Mark Stacey to the fore then began to win some ball for their backs and following a good break by fly-half, Weavin, he slipped the ball inside to centre, Nick van der Beaker Bassett, to score under the posts. Dave Miles converted. The match then became a mid-field battle with flankers, David Doyle and Simon Collyer-Bristow, tackling and foraging at the breakdown, plus the back three of Chris Priestner, Mick Smith and Taz Taylor succesfully fielding the wind-assisted kicks from League. Late in the half a concerted effort up front from the visitors saw them score a converted try from a rolling maul and take a 12-7 half-time lead.
The second-half saw a resurgent Cirencester with the wind at their backs on the attack and veteran Windy Gale off the bench looking to close the narrow deficit but a bad clash of heads involving home centre, Rob Wagstaff, meant the medics were called and the game was abandoned. Fortunately both players were released from hospital with stiff necks and headaches only. This Saturday Champions-elect, Cirencester, close their Merit Table 4 campaign against second-placed, Longlevens 2's, away.