Cheltenham Tigers vs Whitchurch 29
This was always going to be a tough game for the Whitchurch team after travelling 100 miles and playing on a new 4G pitch with a couple of new debutants due to player availability.
As predicted the home side were very good in the backs and had 2 fast wingers either side and this was soon seen by the Whitchurch defence in the first minute as Cheltenham broke and scored by the posts in the first minute. The Whitchurch team had the better in the forwards and 10 minutes in returning prop Tom Hale went over for a try but the conversion was missed. Whitchurch then had a penalty in front of the posts and instead of taking the 3 points on offer gambled by kicking into touch and hoping to drive over again but this was thwarted by the home defence. Whitchurch had 2 of the clubs colts playing together, Max Clarke and Sean O Donnell who both had good games. It was Sean who made a good run through the centre that forced a penalty for the reds which was again put into touch by the corner flag and this time Callum Southall scored. This put the away team in front briefly before the Tigers backs played some nice passing rugby through the backs to score and convert again to put the home side ahead 14:10 at the break.
In the first 3 minutes of the second half Whitchurch were camped in the Cheltenham 22 and Callum scored his second of the game which was converted by young Max Clarke to put us in the lead again. Cheltenham then ran in 2 tries with the speedy wingers to put them ahead 26:22 before Elliot Horton scored to bring the Shropshire men back into contention. Cheltenham scored another of their classy tries before man of the match Sean O Donnell pulled one back and Whitchurch in with a chance of 2 losing bonus points just being 4 points behind. One of those points was lost with the last play of the game as the young Cheltenham winger ran 100 yards to seal the win for the Tigers.
Coach Andy Powell said this was a game we could of and should of won with our superior forwards play and a couple of poor decisions on field but got caught out on the break by some fast lads. Very pleased with everyone’s attitude and how the lads never gave up.
Next week Whitchurch have another long trip to Ledbury who are just below them in the league so another vital game.
