Gloucester Premier League

Chipping Sodbury 40 Cirencester 5

AFTER losing to Cirencester in a cup game just four weeks ago, Chipping Sodbury had plenty to prove as they went about their business in the Gloucester Premier League.

And they did so with a big victory.

A clearance kick by Dan Bradley gave Cirencester a line-out on their own 10m line.

Their poor throw was pounced on by Tom Head, who put his strength to good use throughout the game with some brave clear-outs at rucks.

Head’s pass found Bradley, whose poise and balance drew two defenders before he in turn passed to Joe Horton.

Horton ate up the distance effortlessly and cut a dramatic path inside to score with a dive beneath the posts. Jon Cook converted.

It was a fine start but Sodbury didn’t have it all their own way. Cirencester rallied and laid siege to the Sodbury 22 for the next half an hour.

During this period, Sodbury’s teamwork and desire kept them out.

This effort was spearheaded by Bradley, Lee Ralph and Jason Petchey.

Sodbury broke the Cirencester pressure as they swept downfield, building up eight phases to create a space for Bradley.

Once again, he glided into the defence and, with masterful composure, popped a pass over everyone’s head to Horton.

His straight run took him down the touchline to score in the corner, with Jon Cook converting.

From the restart, the Sods delighted the crowd with a dramatic 70m inter-passing downfield dash. The move was curtailed on Cirencester’s 22, where they infringed and got a yellow card to boot.

Sodbury scored from an attacking line-out after three powerful phases that saw Pete Butcher lead the way and skipper Matt Cook reaching out to touch down.

On the cusp of half-time, Horton caught a wayward clearance, ran at pace before the pack took over.

Three quick rucks later, the ball found its way to Cook score, dragging four Cirencester men over the line with him. He also converted.

The second-half saw Sodbury hunting for a try bonus point.

And Gavin Edgar, watched by his father, Colin, a Sodbury legend, obliged.

Sodbury looked to their bench after 15 minutes of the second-half as introduced Al Keeping, exciting wing Ben Pullen, and Ollie Laidler in the back row.

Laidler really caught the selector’s eye with his dynamic defensive work.

Cirencester got a penalty when Sodbury wheeled a scrum. They tapped it, caught Sodbury flat-footed and scampered in on the wing.

The Sodbury effort never diminished at any point as they got the final try.

Bradley put in a grubber kick for Jake Lewis to out-pace everyone and score.