Sat 31 Oct 2026
League leaders CC left with a five point haul but also knew they had been in a fight as the score line did not reflect the closeness of the encounter.
On a day of completely contrasting weather to last week's storm R started brightly, testing the visitors defence from the first whistle but failed to capitalise on the possession. CC on the other hand were just a little sharper going forward and had the edge with speed and bulk and managed to score three converted first half tries.
R were struggling in places, there were some playing in unfamiliar positions which hindered some moves and gave CC the edge at times but when it came to straightforward hard attacking forward running R were not found lacking. All the pack had their opportunity to make ground, the experienced Martin, Beddard and Allen drove forward leading the way for younger tyros Smith, Beech, Monger Thomas and Beale to follow suit.
They held their own in the loose, battled hard in rucks and mauls and generally tackled successfully.
The back line of Spires, Atkinson and Morgan had their moments but were often stifled by a blitz defence that didn't allow them any space to develop a move. Habgood at scrum half kept his side moving forwards, The back line of Rutter, McCann and Hurlston had more defensive work than attacking.
The second half told a similar story, R battled and took the game to the guests but spaces found out wide allowed CC to score a couple more tries and take the result beyond doubt. However R were not to be downhearted, a sparkling run by Rutter stretched the play weaving around tacklers, from the set ball Jon Beale found the gap to score with Spires adding the extras.
There is a weeks break then a home game Tenbury on 14th, it gives an opportunity for a few injuries to recover. If R can get their strongest team on paper onto grass they will give a lot of sides a hard game this season
Jon Beale sets the ball back with great support at the breakdown
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