Cheltenham North 13, Dudley Kingswinford 14 In an exciting but error strewn game, on their first ever visit to Cheltenham North Dudley Kingswinford ground out the result in the face of a herculean defensive effort from the extremely committed home side. DK’s dominance of territory and possession throughout would, in normal circumstances, have been enough to win most games in some comfort, but North’s extraordinary “no frills” and “in your face” defensive performance rendered DK’s much vaunted attack almost impotent and very short of ideas at times.

Good early pressure saw the visitors attack the home line but fly-half Gareth Bown was wide with a second minute penalty.

North came back into the game for a while as DK self-inflicted pressure by giving away needless penalties. Back in the driving seat and again putting heavy pressure on the home line, DK were shocked as North took a 5-0 lead against the run of play after 12 minutes.

Dudley right wing Simon Fletcher had been bundled into touch and quick thinking saw North take a quick lineout and hare off down DK’s unguarded right flank resulting in a try for North left winger Justin Andrews.

The quick move caught the ref out too but the fact that the final pass was blatantly forward is a mere detail as the smart move was well worthy of the try.

DK re-doubled their efforts and camped on the North line for the next 10 minutes, North were penalised for a late tackle on Gareth Davies on 16 minutes but Simon Fletcher was narrowly wide with the 45m penalty.

The same player “scored” after 20 minutes but had a foot in touch.

The pressure had to tell and finally the ball was moved swiftly from a ruck under the North posts for Simon Fletcher to score in the corner after 23 minutes and then add the conversion from the touchline for DK to lead 7-5.

North full-back John Morrison missed a straightforward penalty after 28 minutes before DK resumed the offensive with concerted pressure on the home-line.

Richard Kelly got over the line on 37 minutes but it was adjudged a double movement.

Then in first half stoppage time a superb break from a tap penalty saw Gareth Bown scythe through the massed North defence only to run out of support close to the line.

If the half time scoreline was disappointing for DK after dominating the first half play, they were soon to be absolutely mortified as North scored another try out of the blue only a minute into the second period. North were awarded a put in 30m out from the DK line from which Paul Scott broke quickly from the base of the scrum to scamper in unhindered with the DK back row seemingly AWOL and only a limping Garth Bown (deadleg) attempting a tackle. Fortunately for DK, the conversion from right in front of the posts was missed but North still led 10-7. Now more than a little concerned, DK began to infringe in the loose and were punished when John Morrison kicked North 13-7 ahead on 52 minutes.

DK raised their game and again laid siege to the home line. Simon Fletcher missed a 61st minute penalty but the visitors were not to be denied. Awarded a penalty 5m out it was quickly tapped and moved swiftly right to full back Jak Davis who dived over in the corner after 64 minutes. Simon Fletcher then won the game with a magnificent conversion from touch. There was still plenty of time left for the home side to reply, but DK were in no mood to let it slip again and they comfortably controlled the remainder of the game, the majority of which was played in the North 22. In fact Simon Fletcher missed a penalty in front of the posts in the dying seconds.