Wotton strike black gold (From Gazette Series)

Wotton strike black gold

Bristol Telephones 8 Wotton-under-Edge 31

WOTTON produced their best away performance of the season at Bristol Telephones on Saturday to return up the M5 as 8-31 winners.

The men in black and gold were quickly into their stride, producing the more positive rugby of the two teams, and so it came as a surprise when Telephones took the lead, slotting a penalty in front of the posts.

The dominant Wotton scrum gradually took its toll through the first half and with the opposition pack tiring and Wotton's backs presented with high quality possession, the visitors pulled away with a three try spell towards the interval.

First, it was centre Knight who plunged over, then a scrum against the head lead produced a score for fly half Handy and, on half-time, it was Handy again whose fine looping run saw him cross near the corner.

All touch downs were converted in testing conditions by Crosbee.

The best score of the game came immediately after half-time when the straightened running angles of centres Sparey and Knight afforded the space for Handy to play fullback Crosbee in at the corner.

Crosbee's radar-like vision had not recovered in time for the kick and the extra points were missed.

The Wotton pack continued to trouble the home team with notable contributions in the loose from Driver, Weston and Morris. Just when Telephones were threatening to get a foothold in the match, a break from the peerless Brown and a huge punt downfield lead to a try for Sparey, which was again unconverted.

The final quarter was a little disappointing, with Wotton sensing that the game was won, but great credit must go to the home team, who battled on and were finally rewarded with a deserved try when their lock powered over from a tap penalty.

All in all, though, a fine performance by Wotton, who lie in fifth place in the league table.