Dursley 26 Brockworth 14

DURSLEY beat old adversaries Brockworth to set up a titanic clash on Saturday with second-placed Chipping Sodbury, with the winner taking a giant step away from the other in the Gloucester One promotion race.

Having been convincingly beaten by Brockworth in their meeting earlier in the year, Dursley made a strong start and applied pressure in all areas of the field.

After a sustained spell in the Brockworth red zone, Dursley put the first points on the board after 12 minutes when scum half Grant Boucher powered through a ruck on the try line to score. Boucher also added the conversion to make it 7-0.

The Dursley set piece was working well and captain Scott Udal made several steals in line-outs.

Centre James Gillespie, making his first team debut, hit some good lines and prop Jake Martin continuously battered the Brockworth line making hard yards with support from fellow prop Andy Plumridge and second row Jack Western.

At the half-way mark, Dursley were awarded a penalty which was within kicking range for Boucher but chose to take the quick tap which Brockworth defended solidly.

Five minutes later following another quick tap penalty, the ball was spun out along the back line for flanker Jack Robson to score out wide and Boucher slotted the difficult conversion.

With five minutes left in the half, yellow cards for Simon Lane and one of the Brockworth front row.

A half-time change brought Tom Stevens on for Robson. Brockworth started well and were awarded a penalty which was off target.

With both teams upping the pressure, Brockworth’s winger fell foul to their second yellow card of the day.

And on 47mins, Brockworth were awarded a long range penalty which failed to hit the target.

Several runs from winger Brad Winchle split the Brockworth line but Dursley were unable to capitalise.

Then a lovely run from deep and a dummy by full-back Lane saw Dursley gain fifty metres, followed by strong tackling from centre Tom Broomfield, hooker Alex Budd and flanker Harry Lea with support from number eight Simon Camm and fly-half James Sheldon

Dursley won a penalty in the Brockworth 22 and, from a quick tap and a couple of driving phases, Martin picked up and charged through the defence to score with Boucher adding the conversion. Dursley were now 21-0 up and looking good but the Brockworth luck changed and they closed the gap with a converted try.

With ten minutes left, Ash Young took to the field replacing Plumridge and made an immediate impact at the ruck.

Winger Damien Cummings sprinted up the touchline unchallenged and scored a welcome bonus point try,

However, the match finished with two players - Broomfield and a Brockworth flanker - getting red cards.

Boucher was unable to add the conversion and with five minutes left, Brockworth were awarded a penalty try closing the gap to 26-14 at the final whistle.