Gloucester One League

North Bristol 30 Old Cryptians 13

NORTH Bristol’s first Gloucester One league game of the season saw them welcome Old Cryptians to Oaklands for the first time in league history.

Cryptians had a good finish to their season last campaign so this would be a tough encounter.

With the breeze at North Bristol’s back in the first half, Phil Sterry almost opened the scoring after the first minute but his long range penalty didn’t make the target.

Five minutes later prop Alex Featherstone was yellow-carded for an alleged punch one he vehemently denied and Old Cryptians opened their account with a penalty to lead 0-3.

Sterry levelled things up minutes later with a successful kick of his own.

From the re-start, North were rampant. A super take from John Wood, supreme at the kick-off all game, put skipper Jimmy Hazard up the right touch line and the supporting Alfie Ford almost crossed the try line.

Cryptians were penalised and when the ball was moved to the left Carl Smith made the final pass to Dom Williams-Sarkar who touched down in the corner and North led 8-3.

North Bristol continued to pressure their opponents and from another penalty they struck again.

From a safe lineout throw to Ford, Featherstone controlled the ball to claim the try and it was 13-3.

Old Cryptians were full of running all game but were met by great defence, especially in midfield from centres Billy Cantin and Josh Davies.

With the visiting stand off under pressure his pop-pass was intercepted by Rich Mortimer and he sprinted forty metres to score under the posts. Sterry converted to give his team a 22-3 lead.

Cryptians had a good period of pressure towards the end of the half and a strong tackle from Antony Jelf held them up over the line. With the last play of the half they slotted a second penalty to make it 22-6 at the turnaround.

The second half started superbly for North Bristol. From a scrum No. 8 Mike Westlake picked up, passed to Jelf who fed winger Phil Cresswell who raced along the touchline.

He rounded the winger and full back to score a scintillating try from eighty metres. The attacking bonus point was secured with the 27-6 lead.

Replacement back Josh Lobley entered the fray after 55 minutes but was soon back off the field when the referee showed him a yellow card as Cryptians attacked.

Jelf was on hand again to hold-up a Cryptians attacker over the line but they managed to score a converted try soon after to make it 27-13.

The heavens opened and heavy rain spoiled the end of the game with the greasy ball hard to control however North sealed the win when Sterry slotted his second penalty to push North out to a 30-13 win.

There were fine performances all across the pitch with flanker Tom Mayes-Welsman earning the man-of-the-match plaudits with an all-action display that caught the eye.

Tries - Phil Cresswell, Alex Featherstone, Rich Mortimer, Dom Williams-Sarkar Conversions - Phil Sterry (2) Penalty Goals - Phil Sterry (2)