Calne battled well in the heat, scored a try and a penalty but were beaten by 3 tries and a larger and more organised pack at their Recreation Ground.

On an unusually warm spring day the home side, having not had an outing since early February, kicked off through their veteran fly half Rob Bell. Calne started downhill with the sun to their backs after having won the toss and subsequently had the best of the tight early exchanges.

This possession and territorial advantage were not turned into points however with only an unconverted penalty to show for their efforts. Cirencester struck back but also missed with a long range kick from their no 10. However, a turnover, moments later, at the lineout gave the fly half the opportunity to beat his man and jink his way to the line for an unconverted try and first score of the match.

The lack of options in the lineout and strong scrummaging from the Cirencester front 5 had Calne on the back foot in the set pieces. This pattern continued throughout the game and it was from a turned over Calne lineout and resulting 2nd phase ball, that had the larger pack piling over the line for a crucial converted try for the visitors.

The home side soon rallied however and through quick passing and good hands with Calne utilising their quicker and more mobile pack forced an infringement at the ruck. Cirencester were duly punished by Calne’s kicker for the day and welsh wizard, Paul Jenkins. The half ended soon after with the visitors ahead 12-3.

From the second half kick off Calne again had the best of the loose exchanges, the rousing team talks and fresh substitutions and belief instilled from captain Paul Hulbert and Coach John Crozier carrying over onto the players with some notable powerful runs from new recruit Seth, captain Paul Hulbert and wingers Matt Snell and Johnny Hope-Smith. The latter scoring with a typical wingers try after the ball was spun out to the left side from some superb forwards loose play. With the defence sucked the big pace merchant beat the defence for the excellently converted try. 12-10.

However, Cirencester never looked out of control. Mainly due to their large pack and excellent working of the set piece as Calne were pinned into their own 22 for a large part of the latter stages of the half, as the visitors pressed for the killer blow. This they achieved after a penalty move, which resulted from sustained period of forward pressure. The resulting pile up over the line remained unconverted and left Cirencester a converted try ahead. Calne to their credit however, backed by the partisan cheers of the local sunbathers, pushed for an equaliser in the opposition half but due to the dogged defence, hot conditions and tired legs it was not to be.

Overall the Calne coach was happy with the performance. “In the heat and lack of training and match practice under our belts I thought the boys committed themselves well in particular Johnny Hope-Smith who had a storming game, running with pace and putting fear into the opposition”. The winger subsequently picked up his obligatory man of the match drink and finished it before veteran front rower, and hard man, Mick Dyer with cries of derision for his outstandingly bad pass during the game and the humiliation of being beaten by a handbag winger!