Gloucester One League

Dursley 67 Ashley Down Old Boys 7

DURSLEY faced old adversaries Ashley Down Old Boys needing another convincing win to keep their promotion hopes alive – and were not disappointed.

The match started in scrappy fashion with Ashley Down spending much of the opening minutes firmly camped in the Dursley 22 and only effective defence kept them from scoring.

Around the eight minute mark, Dursley rallied with centre A J Caddick taking an excellent line, for flanker and captain Jack Robson to make a strong carry deep into Ashley Down territory.

Dursley’s first score came from a scrum on the five metre line where the front five of Ty Chappell, Joe Cowley, Damien Crosswell, Jack Western and Jake Martin dominated once again.

The scrum held steady and patience from a series of pick and drives saw Martin collect the ball to power over. Fly-half Grant Boucher adding the extras. Five minutes later, more good work by the forwards and soft hands by prop Crosswell saw the ball spin out to winger Brad Winchle to run around and score under the posts, Boucher again converting.

Ashley Down challenged from the restart and only a good tackle by centre Duncan Goodison managed to stop the break.

Ashley Down continued to challenge the Dursley defence leading to a few scary moments close to the try line but their efforts were denied.

More strong scrummaging and a strong carry by Chappell set up a huge overlap for Dursley but they were unable to capitalise.

In the closing minutes of the half, there were two red cards for Ashley Down following a midfield incident leaving them without a lock and centre for the rest of the game.

Dursley used the two man advantage to their benefit with a pushover unconverted try from five metres by number eight Simon Camm.

And 19-0 at half-time soon became many more points as Dursley started to run riot.

In the opening passage of play, Perrett collected the ball inside the Dursley 22 and powered through the Ashley Down defence to score under the posts.

With nine minutes of the half gone, Dursley added another score from an attacking line-out with a powerful run by Crosswell to touch down out wide. Boucher made an excellent conversion and Dursley were up to 33-0.

They continued to capitalise on Ashley Down’s reduced numbers and, with 13 minutes played, a kick over the top by full back Olli Halford saw Smith show some impressive footballing skills to score an unconverted try.

Josh Bailey replaced Robson and immediately made an impact with a good line and hard yards.

Midway through the half Rowe shone at the breakdown with another turnover setting-up Winchle to break on the wing to score with Boucher converting 45-0. Ashley Down continued to work hard and were rewarded for their efforts 23 minute into the half with a converted try.

The closing quarter brought four further scores for Dursley from Plumridge, Perrett, Winchle and Cowley with one conversion as Boucher hit the upright twice.

Dursley are on the road to Bream on Saturday for their next Gloucester One encounter.