Morgan hat-trick wins semi-final (From Gazette Series)

Morgan hat-trick wins semi-final

Gloucestershire County Cup Semi-Final Dursley U17s 32 Bristol RFC U17s 7

BEN MORGAN scored a terrific hat-trick to help Dursley into the final of the county cup.

Dursley dominated proceedings throughout, despite facing a howling wind in the first half and were well worth their win, which maintained their unbeaten home record.

The maroon and ambers showed that their defence has improved dramatically in recent times and they were not outmuscled in any phase of the game.

After an initial onslaught from the visitors, Dursley started to work the ball out of defence. With the wind taking away the option of kicking, the forwards had to work hard to move upfield.

After strong drives from both forwards and backs, Morgan forced his way over the line to give the home side a five-point lead.

The second try of the morning was an excellent team try. Morgan, Simon Camm and Steven Kirk brought the ball out from deep before setting up Andy Sprague for a run to the line.

Jamie Muir's conversion made it 12-0.

The visitors came back hard but were thwarted by an in-form defence, with Kirk, Sprague, Mike Tree and Fergus Kirby catching the eye.

However, it was Dursley who added to the score before the break, Morgan bursting away from a scrum in the Bristol 22.

With the wind behind them in the second half, the Dursley side started as they meant to carry on. Muir slotted a penalty shortly into the half and then Morgan scored his third of the morning with another powerful run.

The conversion was made by Muir to give the maroon and ambers a 27-0 lead midway through the half.

Muir added an interception try near the end to make it 32-0 before Bristol got on the scoresheet with a consolation try.

Dursley will take on Gordon League or Longlevens in the final at Cheltenham on April 23.

A week later they face Bletchley in the South West Bowl Final in Oxford.