Bristol Combination 17 North Gloucester Combination 15
The North Gloucester Combination travelled to Avonmouth rugby club on Wednesday evening to play the Bristol Combination.
The younger Gloucester side started sharp pushing the home side back into there 22, and within 5 minutes Chosen Hills Andy King slotted a penalty. This penalty must have shook up the Bristol side as they then started to apply pressure through their forwards with some good strong running. Bristol's forwards were driven on by centre Dean Payne and within the next 20 minutes the home side touched down twice, even though some great tackling was put in by Mike Hagen, Aaron Leese and Byron Davis. The first try was from the forwards mauling well, and then releasing to the backs out wide, the second was a penalty taken quick on the 5-meter line and a forward crashing through for a 14-3 lead. Just before the break the Bristol Combination were attacking, but a knock-on led to Craig Ballinger picking the ball up, offloading to prop Jason Mitch who in turn passed to Stuart Carroll who was in for a score, but unfortunately the final pass was adjudged to be forward by referee Ian Hawkes.
Half Time: Bristol Combination 14 North Gloucester Combination 3
The second half kicked off with the Gloucester forwards Dix, Prine, Hannah and Hurdle putting the away side on the front foot, scoring two tries. Young 18 year old from Gordon League, Matt Hurdle impressed with great work in the loose putting himself about. The visitors put the Bristol Combination under pressure for some time, and the home side were lucky not to receive a yellow card after giving away five penalties in their own 22. The home side then took the ball to the half way, but a loose pass allow Tredworth's lock Bennett to snap up the ball and pass to Widden's Wayne Thomas who in turn threw a great pass to Coney Hills Rory Baker who finished off well, converted by King. The home side drove back up into Gloucester's 22 with good back play from Avonmouth's Charlie Reynolds and Bishopston's Jon Martin. Gloucester was caught napping offside and Bristol slotted a penalty for a 17-10 lead. Coney Hills Ben Walsh and Widden's Matt Folley made some good ground working back into Bristol's half, assisted by fullback Danny Brown. With a kick into the corner from a penalty the visitors had a great attacking platform in the home sides 22, and good work from the forwards in a driven maul allowed Old Richians hooker Tom Dix to exploit the blindside and touch down for a 17-15 score line. The conversion was needed to level the score, but unfortunately Andy King was out wide and narrowly missed.
Bristol Combination: G Britton, M Johnson, A Hopkins, R Haycock, M Bright, W Dimond, A Featherstone, N Smith, C Reynolds, S Weaver, R Baker, J Martin, D Payne, R Tanner, W Underwood. Subs S Leadbetter, C Arenta, M Ludlum, D Williams, A Bamford & W Millard.
Gloucester Combination: J Mitch, T Dix, C Prine, K Hannah, C Bennett, M Hurdle, C Ballinger, S Carroll, M Hagen, A King, B Davis, R Baker, W Thomas, A Leese, D Brown. Subs M Folley, M Brown, B Walsh & D Davis.
Bristol Combination Starman : Scrumhalf Charlie Reynolds
Gloucester Combination Starman : Blindside Matt Hurdle
Referee : Ian Hawkins (Bristol Society)
© 2007 Mike Charnock | Designed & Maintained by MTC Group