Glos Premier Painswick 18 Longlevens 15

PAINSWICK continued their winning ways with a hard fought victory against Longlevens. Having to make five changes from the side that defeated Old Richians the previous week, it took Painswick a while to settle, with Longlevens starting at a fast pace, they were to score first through a penalty from Goran Antonevinic.

This score seemed to inspire Painswick and they soon levelled the scores with a penalty from Ali Bressington.

Minutes later they went in front when fly half Martin Hayward made a break through the Longlevens defence, the attack was carried on by Chris Hall and then Matt Coombs before the ball was recycled and passed along the back line for winger Chris Coombs to crash over in the corner, Bressington added the extra points with a fine conversion.

At this stage it looked as though Painswick would kill the game off before half-time but Longlevens had other ideas. They exerted a lot of pressure and forced Painswick into making mistakes and losing their discipline which resulted in a high penalty account against them.

Antonevinic made them pay by kicking three penalty goals to give them a 12-10 lead at the interval.

Longlevens increased their lead with another Antonevinic penalty at the start of the second half and looked in control of the game at this point. Painswick brought on second-row replacement Neal Stinchcombe and this proved to be a turning point.

From an excellent lineout catch fellow second-row and player-coach Ian Maller raced over unopposed to score a try near the posts, his first for the club, the conversion was missed by Bressington. But minutes later he made amends when he slotted over a penalty to put Painswick back in front with only ten minutes remaining.

The final minutes saw Longlevens pressing but Painswick's defence held firm, as it had done for the whole match.

This was a performance full of commitment from Painswick with forwards and backs putting their bodies on the line.

This weekend Painswick travel to old rivals Cainscross for the second round of the Powergen Junior Vase, kick-off 3pm at Victory Park, all spectators welcome. Painswick United 8 Cheltenham Saracens 12

THE United should and could have won this Merit League game against Cheltenham Saracens on Saturday.

But for injuries they would have recorded a good victory, having had the lion's share of the match until they lost two of their front-row players.

For the United Rob Andrew scored a try and fly half Nick Rogers added a penalty to complete the scoring.

Fixtures for Saturday (October 16): Painswick 1st XV v Cainsross (2nd Round Powergen Junior KO, away, meet 1pm, kick-off 3pm, shirts and ties); Painswick United XV v TBA (home, meet 1pm, kick-off 3pm).

Teams to be selected after training on Tuesday evening. Any problems ring Kev Harris on 07968400037 or Julian Mitchell on 07747600764.