Gloucester One League

Dursley 40 Southmead 31

WITH sunshine and a clear blue sky accompanied by a large crowd following the official opening of the new changing rooms, Dursley looked set to finish the season on a high against Southmead, who they had convincingly beaten away earlier in the season.

From the kick off, Dursley retained the ball and a penetrating line by centre Chris Perrett put the first points on the board in the opening minute with fly half Grant Boucher adding the extras 7-0.

The Dursley set piece was working well with second row Jack Western showing his aerial prowess early on and the scrum looking solid with the welcome return of prop Damien Crosswell.

Strong tackling by Boucher, prop Ty Chappell and number eight Simon Camm stopped the Southmead charge.

However, with ten minutes played Dursley were unable to stop a driving maul from the 22 for a Southmead score and their kicker was unfortunate to hit the upright with the conversion attempt closing the gap to 7-5.

Midway through the half the Southmead full back crucified the Dursley defence with a penetrating run to the line from halfway for a converted try taking them into the lead 7-12.

At 30 minutes Josh Bailey joined to replace injured hooker Joe Cowley. A number of phases through the back line looked set to add to the points but each time the last pass failed to deliver the opportunity.

As the half drew to a close Dursley pressured the Southmead line and Southmead were penalised with a yellow card for a deliberate knock on.

The resulting scrum on the five metre line saw Camm pick up from the base and charge over to score with Boucher adding the conversion bringing the half time score to 14-12.

Dursley started the second half looking the stronger side but five minutes in an injury to flanker Jack Rowe saw Tom Broomfield join the fray.

Good hands in the back line from centre Duncan Goodison gave Perrett the opportunity to take a running line to split the Southmead defence and support inside from winger Brad Winchle gave Dursley the first score of the half under the post with Boucher converting the simple conversion extending the lead to 21-12.

With Southmead back to a full compliment Cowley rejoined for Broomfield. Winger Liam Smith made a break but Dursley missed out on the overlap opportunity.

Southmead replied with a break of their own and only a foot in touch stopped a certain score. Midway through the half Southmead scored a converted try closing the margin to 21-19.

With ten minutes left in the match Broomfield rejoined for Cowley with Bailey moving to hooker.

Southmead continued to challenge in mid field and were rewarded with a converted try to take the lead again 21-26. Dursley retaliated with a charge to the corner by Camm but Boucher was unable to add the difficult touchline conversion to bring the scores level 26-26.

A well placed kick over the top by full back Ryan Malpass and pressure from Perrett forced Southmead to kick the ball into touch in their red zone.

The resulting lineout was retrieved by the safe hands of second row Scott Udal to set up a driving maul for the line which Southmead stopped in its tracks.

Quick thinking by scrum half Andy Butler popped the ball inside to Boucher for a converted score under the posts 33-26.

Joe McGough joined on the wing for Broomfield and as the match drew to a close captain Jack Robson stormed over the line with Boucher converting 40-26.

Well into time added for injury Southmead made a last ditch scurry for the line and added an unconverted try with the final kick of the match bringing the scoreline to 40-31.

The win sees Dursley close the season fifth place in the league on equal points with fourth place Old Cryptians.

Dursley have one more game in the Combination Cup Final against Cirencester and the match will be played at Stroud RFC on Friday evening. Your support would be greatly appreciated.