Stroud Combination Junior Cup

Cirencester 2nd XV 14

Minchinhampton Ist XV 24

A STRONG Minchinhampton side built a 24-0 lead before withstanding a late Cirencester rally to book a place in the semi-finals of the Stroud Combination Junior Cup.

Playing downhill, Minch started quickly, with the pack immediately making inroads into the defence of the Ciren 2nd XV.

After being camped in the Ciren 22, centre Tom Goulding cut a fantastic line to storm over from 20 yards out. Jack Richards added the conversion.

Minch continued to pressure their opposition with pinpoint kicking from full back Jake Muskett ensuring that Minch maintained field position.

It wasn’t long before Minch’s pressure told again with a superb rolling maul leading to a second Minch score from flanker Matthew Jenns. Richards again added the extras.

With the visiting forwards dominating at scrum time and in the loose, Ciren struggled to get a foothold in the game and it was only in the closing minutes of the half that they entered Minch’s 22 for the first time. However, Minch’s defence stayed resolute and the half finished 14-0 to the visitors.

The second half started much the same as the first with Richards orchestrating proceedings from fly half and Goulding marshalling Minch’s defence.

As the half progressed, forwards Pollard, Wood and Austin continued to work tirelessly in the breakdown as well as providing Minch with exceptional ball at the lineout.

With 60 minutes played it was Minch who again crossed the whitewash, Tom Jenns taking full advantage of quick turnover ball after showing excellent speed and footwork to run in from 40 yards out. Richards added a further two points.

With both sides beginning to tire, several rash tackles were exchanged leading to two yellow cards and with 15 minutes to go Richards extended Minch’s lead to 24-0 with a brilliantly taken penalty.

Finally Cirencester got themselves on the scoresheet, taking full advantage of open play in the Minch half to run in two late tries.

Minchinhampton were very pleased with their start to 2017, and particularly the fine performances from a number of young players including Joe Medd-Finn and Ben Jones.