Cheltenham 5
Coney Hill 12
Cheltenham's hopes of climbing the South West One East league table took a blow as county rivals Coney Hill took the honours in a game that lacked attacking play, writes Derek Clifford.
The opening 30 minutes were looking like a case of deja vu as in the corresponding fixture last year, the game ended 0-0.
Cheltenham's task was hindered when they were reduced to 14 men when James Hillier was shown a yellow card by referee Chris Thomas for dissent.
Coney Hill opened the scoring when captain Simon Ellacott bulldozed his way over for the first try, with Chris Holder adding the conversion to lead 7-0.
Just before the half-time break, Cheltenham opened their account when the backs and forwards combined well to send Hillier over for a unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 7-5.
Early in the second half, Cheltenham's Ollie Clements spurned a chance to put the home side into a one-point lead when his penalty was off target.
The second half continued to be dominated by the packs with very little in the way of expansive rugby as the game become a dire stalemate on a cold winter afternoon.
Coney Hill were reduced to 14 men when number eight Jordan Fowke was shown a yellow card for killing the ball, Cheltenham killed the penalty to touch but lost procession from the resulting lineout and not for the first time the chance was lost.
Both sides introduced fresh legs in an attempt to change the pattern of the match, but this was to no avail.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Coney Hill sealed victory when veteran hooker Ryan Nicholls dived over for a unconverted try.
Cheltenham: Moore, Bryant, Goatcher, Milne, Hillier, Lucas, Lait (capt), Manduwanza, Hill, Clements, Heath, Whitney, Dobie, Morris, M Hough Reps: Athey,Seymour,Constantine.
Coney Hill: Ellacott capt, Nicholls, Price, King, Cooper, Tyseshilliadze, Rooney, Fowke, Holder, Knight, Herbert, Overthrow, D Spencer-Tonks, Hamlin, M Spencer-Tonks. Reps: James, Hinchmen, Cook.
Referee: Chris Thomas Glos Society
