Old Cents 20 Old Reds 8
CENTS maintained their fine start to the National Three South West season with a hard fought victory over a strong Old Redcliffians side.
Cents had the edge in the tight and Reds had the edge in the lineouts with both sides competing vigorously at the breakdown.
Cents backs also had the edge in both attack and defence although Old Reds were well organised in these areas as well.
Perhaps the difference between the two sides was that Old Cents took their chances when they came and finished the match stronger than their opponents.
Cents started the scoring early on when captain Liam Hemming scored a fine solo try when he spotted a gap and burst through the defence from 22 metres out.
The try went unconverted and soon afterwards Old Reds went into the lead with a penalty and an unconverted try.
On 20 minutes Cents drew level with a penalty from in front of the posts, converted by Hemming, to leave it 8-8 at the break.
Both sides pressed hard for the breakthrough in the third quarter but as the match wore on Cents seemed to be the slightly fitter side and this gave them the edge.
Cents scored their second try just before the hour mark through prop James Elliott who finished off a series of forward drives near the Old Reds line.
The score was 13-8 and the home side had their noses in front for the first time since the early stages of the game.
With about 15 minutes left to play Cents sealed their victory with a try by wing Ben Turk who had charged down an attempted clearance from Old Reds.
The try was converted by Hemming.
The score was now 20-8 to the home side and they now had the breathing space to close out the match and look for the four-try bonus point.
Cents come close to scoring their fourth try on a few occasions but brave defence from Old Reds kept them out.