Dursley RFC 16 Old Colstonians 8

Dursley returned to league action with a hard-fought win on a pitch you could have sailed a small boat on in the morning, but the game was playable due to some sterling ground preparation, writes Ian Perrett.

Ten minutes into the game the visiting pack knew they were in for a tough afternoon as they found themselves slipping back 15 meters on the first scrum. As expected, the first half was full of handling errors from both teams as a game of attrition developed with neither side able to make any meaningful sorties into the oppositions 22. Following a Dursley lineout and march forward the home side were awarded a penalty which they decided to scrum. A couple more penalties for forward infringements by the visitors saw Dursley over the try line, unfortunately in his eagerness to score Camm knocked the ball on as he tried to pick it up.

On half-time Colstonians took the lead with a penalty following a chip and run by the winger whose path was blocked by Ford, the kick from where the ball landed proving decisive. Dursley found themselves back on level terms on 50 minutes when Boucher slotted home. Dursley gave away a penalty from the restart, fortunately it was missed, as was Dursley's two minutes later. With 20 minutes remaining Cole made a break from the half way line, backed himself and set of this was and that towards the try line, he was brought down five metres short, but with the rest of the cavalry close behind the ball was recycled for Camm who dropped over for 8-3. The lead was shortlived as from the restart Fisher spilled the ball allowing the visitors to charge over slip the ball out to the winger who crossed in the corner for 8-8.

Dursley continued to fight for every ball and were awarded another penalty in front of the posts for Boucher to give them the lead once more. With five minutes remaining Dursley took the option of a scrum on the five-metre line, the eight came together gained traction and pushed over for Camm to flop on the ball for a final score of 16-8.