Smiths 20

Dursley 20

Dursley took the M5 to Cheltenham looking to build on the previous weeks great win, they came away with two points following a very even contest which the scoreline reflected, writes Ian Perrett.

The visitors started brightly, scoring their first try inside three minutes when Perrett finished off good back play finishing in the corner, the conversion was missed. The two sides felt each other out over the next 10 minutes, Smiths were awarded a penalty on the 22, Dursley were sloppy in switching on which allowed a quick tap and run in for 5 all, the conversion made it 7-5

The Dursley pack began to assert pressure and power at the scrum spurred on by the returning president in waiting Robson.

The visitors were pushed back on both feeds, this allowed Pinker to pick the ball up from the back of a scrum 15 meters out and with a show and go cross the whitewash, Lennard added the two points for 7-12.

The game continued to ebb-and-flow with most of the action either side of the halfway line, Smiths added their second try following a period of possession however with the conversion missed the sides went in at half-time 12-12.

Dursley started the second-half strongly, with the pack providing good ball for the backs from the scrum, lineout and at the breakdown, so it was fitting when Baily picked a lose ball up and ran in the visitors third try, Lennard added the two points. Dursley were penalised at the breakdown which allowed Smiths to add three points for a 17-15 score.

The game changed for the visitors on 60 minutes following a head injury to Smiths hooker and the home sides inability to bring on a front row forward, this robbed Dursley of their attacks from the scrum as the game was completed with uncontested scrums.

Smiths had two chances to take the lead, however both penalties were missed. They did take the lead when some sustained pressure saw the winger cross in the corner, the conversion was missed.

With five minutes remaining Dursley were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Lennard converted to make it 20-20. Smiths came forward in search of the win, but found Dursley in no mood to concede as they defended resolutely to see the game out