Dursley 32

Ross-on-Wye 12

DURSLEY welcomed table-topping Ross-on-Wye for the first home game of the new year, the visitors left bewildered having only lost one game conceding no more than two tries in any previous match, writes Ian Perrett.

The match started with a minute’s silence for club stalwart Brian Brimble, who was instrumental in Dursley's move to its current location.

Dursley took the game to Ross from the kick-off recycling the ball at the breakdown allowing quick ball across the back line, on nine minutes good forward play released Perrett who off-loaded to Goodison a step inside allowed AJ Caddick to cut a scoring line as he crashed through and over, Lennard hit the post with the conversion.

Dursley's forwards continued to take the game to Ross, so it was no surprise, when after 25 minutes, after two held up drives over the line and a third drive from the impressive scrum saw the ball released to Cole, whose silky hips sat down a couple of defenders, scoring under the posts, Lennard added the two points.

The visitors needed to change things and this they did following a quick tap and go resulting in a try wide of the posts, the conversion was missed.

This score spurred on Ross and following a rolling maul down the pitch the ball was taken over for a score with the number ten adding the two points to make it 12 each. Dursley lost Camm for a blood injury, which saw the introduction of Robson and his first contribution was to catch the lineout ball tuck it up his jumper at the back of the of the maul, which powerfully drove forward resulting in Cowley scoring, Lennard added the two point for a 19-12 half-time score.

Dursley began the second half with only victory on their mind none more so than the Dursley forwards who to a man showed why they are the best eight in the league. In the 55 minute Perrett pounced on a punt forward ran the ball back beating four tacklers securing a penalty from the desperate defenders which Lennard duly converted.

The home side increased their lead five minutes later following another Lennard penalty. From the restart Perrett ran the ball back off loaded to Caddick whose deft kick through was scooped up by Cole, who grabbed his second of the game. Lennard added the two points to make it 32 12, with a bonus point win.