Bilous scores hat-trick in his swansong match (From Gazette Series)

Bilous scores hat-trick in his swansong match

Wotton-under-Edge 15 Dursley United 58

CUP holders Dursley United travelled to Wotton on Saturday in the first round of the Bill Adams Trophy with a full strength second team.

All expectations of a win for Wotton were put to the sword by the visiting outfit after the first half hour.

Dursley started well with strong running from the back row of Lea, Brooks and Keys. With the big three smashing into the heart of the Wotton defence it was not long before Matt Bilous opened the scoring for the travellers, in his last game before leaving Dursley for university.

Good hands, pace and perception then put Mark Higginson in for the first of his two tries early in the first half.

Tom Lister and Rich Oldham provided the cohesion between the maroon and ambers' forwards and backs, marshalling the troops and leading the charge. The ingenuity of the half back pairing was instrumental in the Dursley victory.

Matt Bilous scored again midway through the first half, as he finished off the move as a winger should after the lightning pace of Alan Ball had split the Wotton defences.

The barrage from the Dursley pack continued throughout the half and much to the credit of the Wotton team they put up a tenacious effort but even with such a brave defensive effort they could not stop man mountain Rich Brooks from crashing over. Steve Eccleston followed suit minutes later, taking the visitors' try tally to five.

Wotton had really no answer to the relentless pressure from Dursley, and by half-time they were down 0-36.

The second half started well for Wotton, with their forwards getting back to basics and driving mauls which resulted in two excellent tries, with Tim Brown going over for both of the scores.

From a successful lineout a drive by the Dursley forwards ensued and again good inter-action between forwards and backs saw Bilous race over for his hat-trick try.

A spirited Wotton were roused and threw everything at Dursley although the tide soon turned back towards the visitors.

Greg Keys was rewarded for his hard work when he raced after Rich Oldham and took the final pass before jubilantly touching down. The evergreen Mark Higginson completed the scoring spree when he tirelessly sprinted clear of his pursuers late in the second half.

This was a lesson well taught from Dursley, but Wotton can use this game to learn from their mistakes and put them right against Pilning (away) in the league tomorrow.

L Wotton training is on Thursday nights at KLB School at 7pm. All are welcome, and for more information telephone Lee Barton on 01453 844355.