Clubs expand after success of recruitment

WHISPER it, but playing numbers in the Bristol area appear to be rising.

North Bristol and Gordano fielded fourth teams on Saturday for the first time in several years while Southmead, thanks to the persistence of chairman Trevor Sealey, have enough players for a regular third XV.

With Old Bristolians in a position to sometimes select five senior sides on a weekend, and resurgent BAC aiming to put out a third XV once a month to tie in with a big social get-together, it is clear that some clubs are feeling the benefit of plenty of hard work behind the scenes.

Hot on the heels of this apparent revival comes an initiative from the Bristol Combination to offer games to newcomers to rugby, as well as those without a regular team or players who weren't selected by their club and still want to pull on their boots.

The first 'Tip-up-and-Play' match, inspired by the success of a similar scheme in Cornwall, takes place at Dings on February 11, with a 12.30pm kick-off to avoid a clash with the Six Nations.

Anyone interested in taking part should join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/ 189719547783262/.

Gordano, left without a game when their league clash at Imperial fell victim to the weather, took an experimental side to Avonmouth and lost 20-17. Harry Lancely (2) and lock Matt Rollings touched down for the visitors.

Marcus Woolridge, Tom Myers and James Sage all scored twice as Cotham Park 2nds cruised to a 66-0 home win over Southmead. There were also tries from Robbie Firmin, Jonni Ash, Harry Fay, Seb Stuart and Matt Ellis.

Tries from Sean Sweet and Sam Tobin could not save Whitehall 4ths from a 17-12 reverse against Kingswood 2nds, Dan Coombs adding one conversion.

Darren Jefferies landed Whitehall 2nds' only points in a 12-3 home loss to Thornbury. Scrum-half Daryl Price's try was converted by veteran fly-half Steve Price – no relation – in the 3rds' 18-7 defeat at St Mary's.

Oxford Harlequins 2nds were so keen for a fixture on Saturday that they made the trip to Bedminster to face their Broad Plain counterparts for the first time, securing a 22-10 victory. Paul Morgan bagged the home side's only try, Rob Smale converting and adding a penalty.

Skipper Ricky Shepherd, flanker George Spencer and man-of-the-match winger Phil Murphy were on the scoresheet in Frampton Cotterell 2nds' 19-8 victory at Colstonians, Nick Woore slotting two conversions.

Club chairman Mike Weaver crossed twice and added two conversions and a penalty as the 3rds lost 38-27 to Bristol Harlequins. Wing Ben Pritchard crossed in his first appearance for two seasons, while there was also a try for Jerry Tiley.

Two long-range tries from fly-half Matt Budd helped Saracens to a 27-13 home Gloucester Premier win over Frampton Cotterell. David Wright, Ian Werrett and Connor McCabe also touched down for the home side.