Minchinhamton RFC U14s 24

Old Patesians 10

ON a cold windy January day, Minchinhampton RFC U14s hosted Old Patesians for their first home match of 2019.

Minch started well and after Ioan Jones was held up just short, they recycled the ball for Ollie Parker to go over for the opening try. In testing conditions, Jones was unable to convert, but determined defence saw the teams turn round with the hosts 5-0 up after the visitors missed a penalty kick at goal.

Pats started the second-half with renewed intensity and before long the scores were level.

With Hampton playing into the wind they used the grubber ball to good effect and soon Hugo Oliver managed to control the ball with his feet over the line before touching down for his third try in eight days.

With plenty of time left on the clock, both teams knew that the next score would be vital. Minch drifted to the left and released Archie Powis who charged down the touchline evading Pats defenders and finding just enough gas to touch down under the posts with Jones adding the extras. The Cheltenham team were not daunted and closed the gap to 17-10 with a try down the left. Minch were not content and with minutes to go Jones found a gap and scampered through for a try that he converted for a final score of 24-10.