Bill Adams Cup semi-final

Tetbury 19

Minchinhampton Rams 18

IN A tense finale Minchinhampton Rams missed a last-minute conversion attempt which left Tetbury the winners of their Bill Adams Cup semi-final 19-18.

Tetbury fielded several old faces with Tom Wilmott and Tim Jenson using their experience in the forwards battle.

Minch opened the scoring after eight minutes with Tetbury replying three minutes later when number eight Ryan Leather linked up smartly to go over. A converted Matt Niblett try after 26 minutes gave Tetbury a 12-5 half-time lead.

With the weather hampering the Tetbury backs, the game became a tight affair especially after Minch scored a penalty followed by a try to take the score to 12-13.

As the Tetbury pack grew in confidence they started to gain some ground on their Minch counterparts in what was a huge forwards' battle as both packs left everything on the pitch.

As the game reached the final 10 minutes, Tetbury scored a try through captain Billy Udall which was converted beautifully by young Niblett to give Tetbury a 19-13 lead.

In the closing moments Minch scored in the corner to make it 19-18, but the otherwise impressive Minch scrum half failed to convert.

At the final whistle neither team was sure who had won as in a bizarre twist the referee had made a miscalculation on the score. After a deliberation the win was given to Tetbury.

Tetbury coach Stephen Knight said: "Credit to Minchinhampton as this was a compelling local derby from the first whistle.

"The confusion over the score was a sorry end to a great display of grass roots rugby in wet conditions.

"Our man of the match Giles Dixon was a rock at full back and typified the mettle which Tetbury have built through the season."