Gloucester One

Southmead 13 Dursley 8

WITH numbers depleted due to injury and unavailability and only seven players in the squad from the previous week, Dursley knew they were in for a tough game against old adversaries Southmead.

Dursley put the first points on the board just four minutes into the game following a following a quick tap penalty by scrum half Tom Broomfield, which was recycled for second row Simon Camm to crash over for an unconverted try.

Southmead closed the gap with a penalty from the restart to narrow the gap.

Fifteen minutes in saw Dan Brookes join following an injury to Grant Boucher and the added 10 metres at the penalty for dissent from Southmead put Brookes within kicking distance to extend the lead to 8-3.

Midway through the half brought a yellow card for a Southmead player following an illegal tackle on centre Damien Cummings when he looked on a clear run through to score from the halfway line.

Southmead squandered an easy penalty at the posts but in the closing minutes of the first half made sure of their next chance, leaving the score at 6-8.

Full back James Sheldon pulled out several try saving tackles but with 15 minutes played Southmead capitalised on an interception against the run of play to race to the line and take the lead with a converted try at 13-8.

Despite several jinking runs by Winchle, supported by A J Caddick, Jake Ward and Gareth Udal, Dursley could not add to their score.

Dursley's next match on Saturday is at home against Longlevens in the second round of the National Cup.