CHOSEN HILL FP 47 FRAMPTON COTTERELL 0

Chosen welcomed previously unbeaten Frampton Cotterell to Brookfield Road for a match played on a pitch that was in remarkably good condition considering the heavy rainfall over the previous few days.
Chosen had first use of the slope and opened the scoring after just five minutes when winger Harri Yorke raced over in the corner for a try converted by Number 10 Andy King.
Frampton were playing an expansive all action game and it took sound defence from Chosen to halt several promising attacks before they drove play back deep into the visitors twenty two and when a Frampton forward was yellow carded for a ruck offence the Chosen eight drove a 5 metre scrum over the line for Number 8 Josh Bailey to score with King adding the extras.
Yorke then scored his second try wide out after 25 minutes but this time King just missed the conversion.
Next to score was centre Steve Merrick who brought up the 4 try bonus point as he crossed near the posts after a typical barging run with King adding the conversion for a 26-0 half time lead.
Three minutes into the second half Yorke ran a great line, crossing from one side of the pitch to the other before dotting down for his third try which King converted.
With 60 minutes played Chosen's sixth try was a spectacular affair as centre Merrick broke out of his twenty two before chipping ahead for fellow centre Tom Darby to pick up the bouncing ball and race away to score under the posts with King again converting.
Yorke then raced over for his forth try converted by King and with injury time being played it looked as though Chosen would break the 50 point barrier but Bailey dropped the ball as he charged over the line from ten metres out.
Next week Chosen make the short trip over the hill for a local Derby against Hucclecote

[b]Here is the Frampton Match Report:
A Bad Day at the Office for Frampton
A scoreline of 47 points to nil suggests a good thumping. It cannot be argued that seven tries to nil is anything but a comprehensive defeat. However, these facts don’t tell the full story of the match. The reality was that for long periods of the game Frampton competed well and played some very good rugby but could not find a way through the home defence. Any Frampton errors were ruthlessly punished by Chosen Hill who were very clinical in taking each scoring opportunity which came their way.

Playing down the slope in the first half, the home side took the lead after five minutes with a converted try following their first visit to Frampton’s twenty two. From the restart Frampton pressed strongly in the home twenty two but couldn’t force a score. A penalty under the posts was turned down in favour of an attacking scrum, but this good field position came to nothing. Chosen Hill again broke downfield and set up camp on the Frampton line. Frampton defended well, but were hampered when Zak Smith was rather harshly sent to the sin bin for side entry to a ruck. Chosen Hill chose to scrum, and with their numerical advantage, scored from the set piece. With Frampton still down to fourteen men, the home side scored a third try following a well executed planned move. Chosen Hill went on to secure the try scoring bonus point before half time. They had scored four tries in five visits to the Frampton twenty two.

Frampton were now playing down the slope in the second period. They were up against it, but refused to buckle and played some good rugby in the opposition half. Unfortunately, on two occasions with Frampton looking dangerous, possession was turned over and Chosen Hill scored two tries from 75 metres to completely take the match away from Frampton. The home side scored a further seventh try to complete the scoring.

Prop Ali Scott was outstanding for Frampton. He scrummaged strongly; he was to the fore with the ball in hand and was equally strong in defence. He was deservedly nominated as Frampton’s man of the match.

This was a difficult day at the office for the young Frampton side. Chosen Hill have recruited strongly following their relegation last season, and look destined to go straight back up. They are well coached and play a direct, but attractive, style of rugby. They did spend most of the afternoon offside when they didn’t have the ball, which in turn took away time and space for the Frampton team. But if you can get away with it, why wouldn’t you do it? It will take a very good side to defeat Chosen Hill this season. Frampton need to put this result behind them, learn from the experience, and go again next weekend at home to Widden Old Boys. Many thanks, as ever, to the travelling faithful who made the journey to Churchdown on Saturday.