Cainscross 14

Painswick 36

PAINSWICK took the honours with a strong final quarter when the game had been closely contested for the first 60 minutes, writes Richard Barnard.

After a scrappy start when both teams missed early penalty chances, Painswick took the lead when Shaun Jeffries made a clean break which resulted in a try for centre James Harber, which was converted by Tom Powell.

Cainscross, with slope in their favour, fought back well. Strong running centres James Baker and Hayen Maller took advantage of some weak tackling from the visitors to score tries both converted by Max King. Good pressure from Painswick followed and after squandering to chances out wide the forwards took over resulting in a try for back-rower Eti Millward touching down near the posts with Powell adding the extras. The strong Cainscross scrum, well led by skipper Pollard, applied considerable pressure as half-time approached as they chose to scrum a series of penalties in the visitors 22, but Painswick finally won a penalty to relieve the pressure and leave scores level at the interval.

The first part of the second-half saw both teams have periods of pressure without scoring.

However, Cainscross were pressing well when Painswick wing George Macduff intercepted in his own 22 to scamper down the slope and outstrip the home defence to score in the corner.

Powell added a superb conversion from the touchline. Painswick then took control and man-of-the-match Macduff added an unconverted try wide out. A fine run from Neil Churchill led to the pacy centre adding another try.

Painswick left the best to last as Churchill broke again to feed Matt Evans, who offloaded superbly to put Haber in for his second.

This was finally an emphatic win for Painswick, but the result was in doubt till Macduff's critical intervention.