Cheltenham Saracens vs Kingswood

Right then. We were away to Cheltenham this week, a re-scheduled fixture from the previous week due to poor weather. The weather hadn't changed but the pitch was apparently better and so off we travelled.

With injuries mounting and new faces signing we welcomed Vince Murrell and Aaron into the 1st team. Kirley returned at full back and a re-shuffle in the forwards saw Oakley return to prop, the other Vince at hooker with Coe at flank. There was a new centre partnership of Gareth Pond and Chris Phillips.

After the usual debate as to where they actually play these days we all arrived in good time and got out 40mins early to warm up. We needed to, it was bloody cold, wet and windy. A day for the forwards.

The first half saw Cheltenham kick-off and opt to kick into the wind. The kick-off therefore reached their 5m line after blowing backwards but we played it and so the game commenced.

It became obvious that short passes and forwards play were going to be the order of the day and so we proceeded to bash our way up the field, not really leaving the Cheltenham half for the first 30mins. With our scrum finally coming together and Al Green disrupting their line-outs at the front it was only a matter of time until we scored.

It came from a scrum about 10m out in front of the posts, Murrell took it up at 8 (which he did well all game) which the forwards cleared for the ball to be worked out wide for Dean Stephens to score in the corner. Phillips missed the conversion, it was a tad windy.

It was then our turn to defend as Cheltenham worked their way back into our 22, the first visit into our half all game. A number of pick and go's from the rucks were stopped but eventual numbers sucked into the ruck took their toll and they scored on the blindside.

Kingswood were quick to respond though with Ian Kirley taking a lovely line of Vince to score shortly afterwards and then Dean got his second by taking the ball at the back of the maul and crashing over to score. Phillips converted both.

Half time score 19-5 to Kingswood.

With the wind behind them it was Cheltenhams turn to pin us back, or so we thought. Constant pressure on the scrum and fly half meant they never really managed to kick, using their 12 to run a hard line back in who was usually stopped pretty early. Whenever they did kick Kirley, Liam or Aaron were always on hand.

With the Cheltenham team tiring Kingswood soon had them on the back foot in all aspects of the game. Forwards and backs alike were combining well to play some, not alot, but some expansive rugby when they could. The next score came from Mark Oakley who took a simple inside ball off Phillips to cross over the whitewash. Phillips coverted.

Around this time Stan came on for an injured Nick Coe (nursing shoulder) and Liam was replaced by 2nd team captain Lewis Voisey.

Aarons first game went well and during one of his jinking runs he clashed heads with his opposite number and, with a lovely gash just above his eye, he was replaced by James Wilmott.

Shortly after entering the field Jamma found himself in possession of the ball when an attempt to clear their lines backfired and landed in his arms. He then made his way past two would be tacklers from just outside the 22 to score.

Final score 31-5

Quote of the day - "They didn't have any weakness at all, not one player from 1 through to 15" - Cheltenham Player in Changing Rooms after

Man of Match - Dean Stephens
Ass of Match - Nicky Coe