Western Counties North

North Bristol 39 Old Bristolians 8

WHAT a difference a week makes.

After a lacklustre performance in their defeat at Cheltenham, North Bristol simply blew Old Bristolians away in a first half performance that secured an attacking bonus point within the first 30 minutes.

North Bristol were missing captain John Wood and also five other potential first choice players, but the team, under the stand-in captaincy of centre Jonny Gait, enjoyed a great afternoon to give Wood and coaches Wayne Thompson and Darren Yapp exactly the selection problems that teams want and need.

It wasn’t long before North were on the board when a strong break from centre Nick Gait saw him go close. Alex Cue quickly recycled the ball and good handling from Max Sheppard, Richard Mortimer and Rob Collins saw Charlie Furnivall dive into the corner and it was 5-0 after six minutes.

Old Bristolians hit back with a penalty after 16 minutes but Furnivall was on hand to repeat his dose five minutes later.

Winger Martin Harrex chased his own kick ahead to pressure the Old Bristolians defenders and when Collins was alert to the loose ball his pass found Furnivall to dive into the corner.

Dan Snow went close with the conversion again and it was 10-3.

North stayed on the attack and Nick Gait, profiting from some good work from his brother Jonny, raced in under the posts untouched from 40 metres to score. Snow added the conversion for 17-3.

Some strong carrying from Cue and Snow settled possession and a Furnivall kick and chase again put Bristolians under the cosh.

Quick ball along the line saw Harrex pass inside to the impressive Alex Featherstone, who scored.

Snow converted and it was 24-3 after 27 minutes.

The Old Boys attempted a comeback when they nipped down the blindside of a scrum for an unconverted try at 24-8 but Harrex increased North’s lead again as he scorched in from 20 metres.

As the half expired, skipper Gait, who enjoyed a great game, gave a sublime off load to Ollie Rigby and the fullback scored his first try for the club to make it 34-8.

Old Bristolians tried to get back into the game but were met with staunch North tackling where the outstanding Kit Sheppard really stood out.

Twice North Bristol were held up over the line in the second half before a neat offload by Max Sheppard saw Joe Page, who grafted superbly all afternoon, power over from 15 metres for a fully deserved try. Phil Sterry struck the post with the conversion but North were left to celebrate a fine bonus-point win against an Old Bristolians side who were outclassed on the day.