Gloucester Premier League

Chipping Sodbury 17 Berry Hill 24

MOST teams would face a spiral of despondency if their star, headline-making, fly-half was struck down with pneumonia.

But when Dan Bradley was rushed to hospital with what turned out to be more than a bit of a sniffle, Chipping Sodbury were very lucky to be able to call on the vast experience of Steve Romanowski – a man who has seen it, done it, and collected the t-shirt during his career.

The Sodbury faithful must have thought time travel had been perfected when they saw the team rumble on to the pitch containing the man who re-wrote the rugby handbook during his pomp.

Maximus Gallagher got involved early on with an interception and, after a 35-metre break deep into the visitor’s half, a penalty was awarded.

Romanowski confidently addressed the ball and Sodbury were 3-0 up until Berry Hill surprised everyone when their flanker jumped over a ruck and burst free for an unconverted try.

Sodbury were straight back into the Berry Hill half and built enough pressure to force another penalty for the peerless Romanowski to convert.

On the cusp of half-time, line-out virtuoso Matt Cook yielded three more points with what was arguably the move of the half, securing a lineout 40 metres out.

Cook, the eventual man of the match, topped the carry stats with an all-action display and his tackle count was only bested by the perpetual motion of Jason Petchey.

When Cook brought the ball back to earth from his line-out take, he found Lee Ralph on a rampaging run.

Ralph was supported by Dave Guest, who secured quick ball which went through two rucks and a maul before a desperate Berry Hill infringed, allowing Romanowski to kick his third penalty.

Local legend Romanowski took the score to 12 -5 early in the second-half as Sodbury began to stretch their legs out wide.

Berry Hill levelled the game up after 15 minutes after a series of Sodbury penalties which they opted to kick for touch or scrummage.

Berry Hill scored after the third scrum, much to the dismay of the Sodbury pack.

Sodbury showed their strength of character as they negotiated their way back upfield to within striking distance of Berry Hill’s line.

When Hill infringed, Sodbury kicked to touch for a line-out. Guest was at his accurate best and found his jumper easily. The ensuing drive was controlled from the back by Pete Butcher.

Butcher has been absent in recent weeks due to a work training course, and he managed to wrestle the ball from the back of the maul and score a try.

Hill came back once more with a carbon copy of their last try to tie the game 17-17 with just 10 minutes left.

They might also have scored a long-range effort if it had not been for a last-ditch try-saving tackle by Ralph.

He tracked his prey and smashed him into touch, that Ralph is a prop and his victim a winger made the hit even more inspiring.

However, Hill were able to turn the screw in the last minute and ultimately break Sodbury hearts.

When they moved the ball from yet another five-metre scrum, Sodbury fronted up manfully.

But after six phases, Sodbury ran out of personnel and Hill went in next to the posts.

Chairman Phil Player said after the game: “Berry Hill had the edge over us but we are still an improving team.”