Stroud Combination Cup Final

Dursley 38 Cirencester 0 (at Stroud RFC)

DESPITE being current cup holders, Dursley entered the game against Cirencester, who currently play several leagues above in Tribute Western Counties North, with some trepidation.

Playing at Stroud RFC ground under floodlights was a first for a number of the players but this did not faze any of them and the rugby that resulted was some of the best played by the team all season.

From the kick off Dursley had all of the play and with just 4 minutes on the clock the Dursley pack of Damien Crosswell, Joe Cowley, Ty Chappell, Scott Udal, Jack Western, Jack Robson, Jack Rowe and Simon Camm dominated at the first scrum on Cirencester’s 5 metre line driving their opponents back with Camm picking up at the base of the scrum to score and fly half Grant Boucher adding the conversion taking the lead 7-0.

Dursley continued to stay on the front foot and at the 8 minute mark a kick over the top by Boucher was chased by winger Brad Winchle but a difficult bounce took it out of his reach only to be picked up by supporting centre A J Caddick who broke three tackles to score in the corner and Boucher was just short with the difficult conversion 12-0.

Cirencester rallied but full back Malpass was solid under the high ball to stop the charge. Several Dursley breaks followed from scrum half Andy Butler supported by Caddick and a great backs move between centre Max Pullin, Winchle and Malpass both being stopped short of the try line. Captain Jack Robson turned in a number of his trademark “oooh that must have hurt” tackles and more solid defence in their red zone culminating in Dursley driving Cirencester back to the 22 from a scrum on the 5 metre line.

Front row Crosswell, Cowley and Chappell carried the ball well making hard yards and winger Duncan Goodsion, making a break, was unlucky not to add to the score line when he put a foot into touch. Malpass averted a Cirencester opportunity after collecting a difficult bouncing ball and his kick found touch just outside the Cirencester 22.

Western disrupted the Cirencester clearance with a charge down and more text book tackling by Pullin with support from Rowe won turnover ball. Cirencester challenged but brave work by diving on the loose ball by Boucher returned possession to Dursley. With half time only minutes away a kick into space saw Winchle collect the ball under pressure and jink through the Cirencester defence to score under the posts with Boucher adding the simple conversion 19-0.

Despite strong tackling by Pullin and Chappell Cirencester were awarded a penalty on the 30 metre line which they chose to kick but missed wide and Boucher collected and cleared.

The Dursley scrum continued to dominate and good work by Butler forced the knock on. Good hands through the back line put Butler through but he was stopped inches short of the try line on the half time whistle with the score line 19-0.

Cirencester started the second half with more passion and Dursley had to work hard to contain them with good tackles from Cowley, Goodison, Winchle and Pullin.

Prop Crosswell made a penetrating break up the wing and Winchle in support broke the Cirencester defence and was only stopped by a well timed cover tackle. Dursley challenged well at the line out and the safe hands of Western won the aerial battle.

Hard yards by Camm and a penetrating line by Butler caused problems for the Cirencester defence. With 17 minutes played Andy Plumridge joined in the front row for Crosswell.

Dursley spread the ball well along the back line but once again Goodison was unlucky to run out of space with a foot into touch. Midway through the half the sustained pressure put on by Dursley was rewarded when Udal charged through the Cirencester line to score under the posts with Boucher adding the extras 26-0.

Dursley took this opportunity to make a number of replacements with Josh Bailey joining for Rowe, Chris Perrett for Pullin and Liam Smith for Goodison.

As time was running out for Cirencester and confidence grew for Dursley their ball handling, off load and support was exceptional and Cirencester appeared to have no answer.

At the 30 minute mark Leigh Lord replaced Chappell and minutes later Udal was replaced by Rich Brookes. Dursley continued to apply pressure and a break by Perrett with Western in support was unfortunate to be brought up just short of the line.

With five minutes left to play the fresh legs of Lord paid a premium as he made a strong carry to score with Boucher adding the conversion 33-0. More replacements followed with Joe McGough on for Bulter, Crosswell back on for Cowley and Udal back on for Western.

With time almost up Dursley continued to turn the screw spreading the ball wide along the back line for Camm to add his second try but Boucher was unable to add the conversion with the final kick of the game.

A well deserved victory for the squad and a fantastic end to the season.