Gloucester All Blues 3 Minchinhampton 36

A RESURGENT Minchinhampton came away with a stunning victory at Gloucester All Blues.

Allen Pearse signalled his return to Minch with a powerfully driven try from 10 metres out, after some deft forward approach work. Minch were piling on the pressure with Mike Evans shipping the ball to Simon Howse, whose mesmeric run left Gloucester floundering. The extras were duly added by Rich Brooks, making a welcome return after an extended period of absence.

However, Minch paid for an infringement late in the first half, leaving the visitors 12-3 to the good at the interval.

Minch started the second half with steely resolve. James Oatley playing with a maturity way beyond his years at full-back, was never out of the action, fully deserving his man of the match status.

He set up the third try with a scintillating counter attack, feeding Alex Hewitt on the right wing, who made good ground before shipping inside to the irrepressible Howse, for his second try of the match. Howse was soon on the score sheet again, cutting the angle from an offload and going in under the posts. Ian French struck a robust try from the back of a Minch scrum. With two minutes left Mike Leec completed the scoring.

MINCH travel to Cainscross this week, for what should be another thrilling encounter.

Minchinhampton 2nds 24 Staverton 20

DESPITE dominating the first half, Minch managed to test the nerves of the watching masses as they hung on for victory.

Two tries from Jason Richards, both unstoppable drives from short range and a try each for Paul Ind and Clive Eagles seemed to have broken Staverton's resistance.

However, it was left to solid defensive play from Featherstone,Brunt and Elliott to secure the win.