Dursley Rugby Football Club
Dursley R.F.C.
Registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club CASC since 2004
Latest News
Dursley book semi final place in tricky encounter with Minch
2nd March 2015
Dursley welcomed long term rivals Minchinhampton to The Bowl on Sunday for the much awaited County Cup Plate quarter final. On a cold and windy Stinchcombe morning the faithful were grateful for the warming walk to the top pitch where their young charges were delighted to find turf, a pleasant change from the mud bath of the previous week.
Coach Lloyd was in buoyant spirits this week having brought in Mr Gerrard as his new backs coach to supplement his backroom team. Having analysed Gerrard’s ability to drink a pint whilst singing Jerusalem with his trousers on backwards Lloyd was convinced he had the right man for the job and would bring a unique set of skills to the back line division. Lloyd said “We’ve been looking for a while for someone who can fit into the well-honed backroom team and we think we have found him in Martin”. Gerrard’s pedigree is undeniable having been schooled under the watchful eye of Frank Lee Madere, former coach and talisman at the Nottinghamshire School of Dancing Sprinters, who was renowned for his direct ‘I don’t give a damn’ feedback. Gerrard joins internationally renowned physio Ben Doverenstrich and club sport psychologist Douglas S. Halffull to complete Lloyds coaching team.
Our referee resplendent in a stylish yellow and blue number brought the teams to starting positions and Dursley kicked off with Adam coming in at 10 as Nathan moved to inside centre. Dursley were on the attack early but a break away by Minch was halted with a superb tap tackle from Matty G forcing Minch to concede a penalty. From the move that followed Dursley fed the ball swiftly across field and gave Charlie the chance to finish in the corner for an unconverted try. Charlie repeated the move straight from the kick off when a dancing run saw him sprint to finish near the posts and Dursley led 10-0. Dursley kept up the pressure and a good backs move allowed Jordan to break the line and feed Ollie to finish Dursley 3rd try in the corner. Nathan’s conversion slid wide in some very difficult kicking conditions, so Dursley led 15-0. Minch came back into the game with an inventive kick and chase and a favourable bounce allowed them to score their first try. Dursley responded immediately and Jordan was very unlucky to knock on as he stretched out to touch down over the line, but the pressure told and Charlie completed a first half hat-trick when he scampered to finish in the corner. Half time and Dursley led 20-5
The 2nd half began with Minch on the attack and it was no surprise when they got back into the game with their second try, 20-10. Dursley pushed back though and a fabulous forwards move with a skilfully worked rolling maul led by Tom K initially and then Jordan allowed the latter to touch down for his deserved try and extend the lead to fifteen points once more. As was the pattern of this end to end game, Minch came back at their hosts and got their 3rd score after some neat work on the left, but a good decision to take a penalty scrum just outside the Minch 22 allowed a free running Matty G to score in the corner, 30-15. Minch had the last say with a converted try in the dying moments to end the game 30-22 to Dursley.
Coach Lloyd will be pleased with the efforts this Sunday. His team worked hard, competed well and thoroughly deserved their win. He may have some concern that they did not finish off Minch completely earlier in the tie, but great credit goes to the opposition who rallied well after every Dursley score. A semi-final place now awaits Dursley and based on this performance they must fancy their chances against anyone.
Key Statistics
Scoreline: Dursley 30 Minchinhampton 22
Wind: Fierce
Kicks: Challenging
Surface: Green
Car Parking: Superb
<<Next Older Story Next Newer Story>>
