RUGBY: Jak Evans makes history as Gloucestershire struggle against relegation

JAK EVANS became the first Thornbury player to represent Gloucestershire in the County Championship for ten years when he came off the replacements bench to take on Hertfordshire last Saturday.

Sadly, his efforts were in vain as Gloucestershire were over-run by a more dynamic side.

The Thornbury scrum half became the first player since Tony Down to make the Gloucestershire squad and after sitting out the first game joined the fray at Hertford RFC early in the second half.

Gloucestershire led 11-10 at the time after Stef Hawley had scored a try after 51 seconds and Craig Jackson had kicked two penalties for a narrow half-time lead against the run of play.

The Gloucestershire pack controlled after the break and Evans supported the scrum that earned a penalty try.

Following that Jackson’s conversion opened up an 18-10 lead.

However Hertfordshire made good use of the bench and the try inspired them more than it did Gloucestershire.

They scored three quick tries to open up a 27-18 lead and although Marcus Brown scored a consolation try for Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire had the last word, running over for a sixth time.

Evans left the field late in the half following a hamstring strain but had played his part.

He made two breaks, passed well, and was effective and highly-committed in defence.

Gloucestershire have it all to do at Cleve on Saturday when they take on Kent, kick-off 3pm.
The loser will be relegated to Division 2 of the County Championship.