Dursley 35

Minchinhampton 31

DURSLEY gained the derby day bragging rights.

Earlier, and against the strong wind, Minch dominated the first 20 minutes working the ball around the field. However, Dursley intercepted a pass on their five-yard line and dramatically scored a breakaway try.

Minch kept ball possession and after a couple of disallowed touchdowns, Gino Beaumont dived over the line to score.

Dursley began to utilise their youngsters in backline and scored a couple of tries. The first half ended with Minch losing by five tries to one but with the wind behind them in the second half it was game on.

Clive Eagles was in fine form and his territorial kicking allowed Steve Anderson to pluck the lineout ball, allowing Minch to bulldoze over the line and Jon Llewellyn to score.

Despite Dursley going uncontested, Minch were still able to smash and maul the ball upfield which allowed the colossal Clint Davies to peal off and touchdown.

Minch also span the ball out wide which saw man-of-the-match Steve Anderson throttle the ball from 20 yards to score in the corner.

However Dursley’s fresh youthful colts added another breakaway try against the run of play.

The final quarter witnessed spectacular end to end rugby which intensified to a pulsating climax when Minch were just about to score when the referee blew her whistle!

An absolute belter of a game with over 45 players strutting their stuff.

Dursley greatly appreciated Minch in honouring the fixture, allowing three sets of fathers and sons to play for the first and probably last time together.