Painswick 24

Westbury-on-Severn 19

Painswick put in a storming last 15 minutes to snatch a bonus point victory against a dogged and well organised Westbury team, writes Richard Barnard.

Playing with the slope, the visitors dominated the early stages only for Painswick skipper Craig Mayo to gain an excellent turnover in his own 22 and send speedy winger Matt Longuet-Higgins racing in under the posts for a try converted by Tom Powell.

The strong Westbury scrum gave the visitors the majority of possession and some weak tackling allowed then to score a converted try to level the scores at half-time. They continued to dominate the game playing up the slope and two further tries allowed them to take a 19-7 lead into the final quarter. Then Painswick raised their game and put huge pressure on the visitors; after several penalties the ball was sent wide for Longuet-Higgins to race over wide out for his second.

A superb run from his opposite wing, Neil Churchill, put James Harber into space and the centre raced under the posts with Powell's conversation levelling the scores.

With minutes left Painswick again put pressure on Westbury and substitute prop Paul Watson intercepted on the visitor's 22 and galloped over to gain the winning score. With key forwards missing Painswick battled well and as the larger Westbury tired took full advantage to use their speedier backs. Watson and fellow sub Matt Evans were prominent in the come back but the key men were strong running wingers Churchill and man of the match Longuet- Higgins.

Painswick travel to Tetbury next week confident to keep their unbeaten start to the season going.