Dursley Rugby Football Club
Dursley R.F.C.
Registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club CASC since 2004
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Dursley don’t flinch to clinch Minch win
16th January 2012
Dursley don’t flinch to clinch Minch win, this was no cinch - Dursley v Minchinhampton - Sun 15th January 2012
Normal service was restored in the press box this week as our man valiantly dragged himself from under his goose-down duvet to the somewhat fresh conditions at the Stinchcombe Bowl. A bright winter sun made for a beautiful Cotswold scene and what better setting for a fabulous game of rugby. And boy, did we get one...well did we? YES we did.
Before the action began though, the talk in the stands was of yet another special offering in the ‘Ref shirt’ competition with, in what can only be assumed to be a tribute to the Queen’s Jubilee year, our official took to the pitch wearing royal purple trimmed with ermine. The palace have been informed and it can only be a matter of time before the gong is awarded.
So to the match, a real triumph of rugby, with both teams digging deep right from the off. In the early exchanges it was Dursley who made some ground into the Minchinhampton half only to be repelled by strong Minch defence. Then the breakthrough as Dursley became a little isolated wide left and the strong and leggy Minch Centre stole the ball to gallop 60 yards and finish a try under the posts. Easily converted it left the score 0-7. For a brief period the Dursley heads dropped but good kicks from Nathan and strong chasing by the backs began to restore confidence. This paid dividend when Darryl used his now legendary pace to score in the corner leaving Nathan a tough kick that just missed. 5-7. Dursley had their best spell of the 1st half next and strong running eventually saw Tommy H skip over for another unconverted try to finish the half 10-7.
Half time passed with a blur, this game was a real humdinger and at times our reporter began to worry that it might eclipse even eclipse Crewe’s fabulous 1-0 win away at Oxford on Saturday (match report to follow but play off’s beckoning now – Up The Alex!)
Minch came out of the blocks in the second half like caged tigers who had been baited with raw meat during the interval and ran in another good try in the 1st minute, to retake the lead 10-12. But Dursley slowly clawed their way back into it and the entire game was encapsulated in a period of play close to the Minch try line. Wave after wave of attack being repelled by a strong Minch defence until eventually Henry M bundled over to put Dursley ahead once more. 15-12. That was the end of the scoring but not the end of the action, as both sets of boys made their coaches proud with their endeavour. And so it was, a really hard fought contest saw two well matched teams exchange attacks and scoring alike. Make no mistake, this game could have gone either way and ultimately Dursley ran out winners, but Minch should hold their heads high for creating such an absorbing spectacle.
In the week that saw two Dursley old boys make the full England squad the crowd were left wondering how many on today’s pitch may grace the turf at Twickenham in future, much like their fathers have graced the bars at Twickenham in the past.
Match stats:
Dursley 15 – 12 Minchinhampton
Supporters: Plenty
Referee: Royal Purple with Ermine trim
Coaches: Vocal
Bacon rolls: £1.30
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