Western Counties North

Cheltenham 31 North Bristol 20

NORTH Bristol suffered their third defeat from four games this season at Cheltenham.

The visitors led 10-9 at the break after a Jonny Gait try, converted by Dan Snow, who also scored a penalty.

Two yellow cards to No8 Max Sheppard and winger Martin Harrex killed North Bristol in the second half as Cheltenham went on to add 22 points.

Gait scored his second try for North again, converted by Snow, who also kicked another penalty.

Snow went over 500 first team league points for North Bristol during the game.

Friendly

North Bristol 2nds 70 BAC 2nds 0

NORTH Bristol put out an experimental, scratch side to look at several newcomers against BAC and give some fringe players a chance to show their wares.

It was a breathtaking solo effort from Andre Samura that saw the powerful centre break several tackles on his way to an early try for North Bristol, which Matt Hazzard converted.

Matt Newman’s first go as a centre produced a fine break and an interchange of passes between him and winger Mike Gould left him to take the unconverted touchdown at 12-0.

Martin Worgan and dynamic flanker Jake Phillips drives set up Sam Lockwood to crash over, taking North 17-0 ahead.

Tom Rickard's alert support work earned him a try, converted by Matt Hazzard for a 24-0 lead.

A lively personal performance from skipper Tony Booth was capped by a sudden burst from the hooker, who surged over for a try, converted by Hazzard.

North’s centres showed the potential for the pairing when Newman’s break brought a converted touchdown for Samura.

It became 45-0 when Hazzard’s dummy opened up a gap ten metres from the home line, leaving him the length of the field to gallop and breathlessly score.

Following several good drives to BAC’s line, Rickard jinked his way over to score.

Soon afterwards a great long break by Samura was finished off by co-centre Newman.

Quiet for most of the game, left wing Angus Lindsay came alive in the final quarter, first breaking through well before giving Peter Swallow the scoring pass. Then Lindsay burst down the left once more, but this time hung on to complete his debut try in the corner.

The game ended after stolen BAC scrum ball was snatched up by scrum half Rickard, which took North to a convincing victory.

North Bristol scorers: Tries - Tom Rickard (3), Matt Newman (2), Andre Samura (2), Tony Booth, Matt Hazzard, Angus Lindsay, Sam Lockwood, Peter Swallow; Conversions - Matt Hazzard (5).