Last-gasp Hayward snatches victory (From Stroud News and Journal)

Last-gasp Hayward snatches victory

Stroud Combination Senior Cup Tetbury 32, Painswick 34

IN an entertaining game Painswick booked their place in the semi-final of the Stroud Combination Senior Cup when veteran fly-half Martin Hayward (pictured) scored a try under the posts with the very last play of the match, skipper Matt Coombs kept his cool to add the conversion to give them victory.

Earlier, Painswick made eight changes from the previous week. They started strongly and went in front after winger Aussie Smith scored in the corner after several phases of play.

The home side hit straight back with a penalty and then after some poor defence from Painswick they scored two quick tries, one of which was converted to give them a 15-5 lead.

This stung Painswick into life and prop Ben Pollard scored a try from a catch and drive at a lineout and minutes later scrum-half Tom Unwin darted over from close range, with Coombs adding the conversion to put them in front.

However, from the restart Tetbury retook the lead when they stole the ball at a maul and broke blind for their winger to score in the corner, the conversion was duly added.

Playing down the slope in the second half Painswick exerted a lot of pressure on Tetbury but couldn't find a way through. Becoming rather frustrated they started to give away a lot of penalties, from one of which Tetbury took quickly and scored their fourth to try to increase their lead.

More pressure from Painswick nearly brought them a try from Eddie Bressington but he was tackled just short of the try-line. The home side stole the ball once again and went the whole length of the pitch to score their fifth try to put them 32-17 in front with 20 minutes remaining.

Painswick regrouped and after a miss-move in the centres Ewan Craig entered the line and passed to winger James Wynn who scored in the corner. Moments later Painswick were back in the game when centre Fred House crashed over after good driving play from the forwards.

With only minutes remaining Painswick attacked from deep and kept the ball alive and got to within ten metres of Tetbury's try-line when they were awarded a scrum. Unwin fed the ball to Hayward who dummied his way over to score under the posts to seal a stunning victory.

A Stroud Combination XV will be taking on a Painswick XV on Tuesday (December 27), kicking off at 1.30pm at Broadham Fields, Painswick. This will be the Combination's second outing of the season, having drawn 22-22 with Glos Police earlier in the season. All spectators welcome.