BRISTOL HARLEQUINS 6 CHOSEN HILL FP 46

In the past Chosen have suffered against Quins strong pack but for this match they were able to field their most experienced front row of Dave Revell, Leigh Halfpenny and Jonny Mullis, and with skipper Chris Jones and his second row partner James Hemming doing really well in the line out they were able to quickly establish parity at the set piece.

Quins opened the scoring after six minutes with a penalty goal but from the restart Chosen won the ball and drove play up-field and when the home side infringed Andy King levelled the scores with a routine penalty goal.

After twenty minutes Chosen produced the first of their tries when from a lineout ten metres out their forwards rolled the ball towards the line for makeshift number eight Tom Gyde to force his way over. King missed the conversion and Quins came back with a second penalty goal to narrow the gap to two points but from then on it was all Chosen.

On thirty three minutes Chosen were awarded a penalty near the half way line and King kicked for a lineout in an almost identical position to where the first try had come from. Skipper Jones won the lineout and again the forwards drove over the line for Gyde to bag his second try. This time King added the extras for a nine point lead.

Next to score was full back Ashley Lewis who was showing glimpses of his outstanding form of last season as he was on hand to take a scoring pass from centre Mike King after good approach work from Gyde and Josh Pettifer. King converted for a comfortable 22-6 half time lead.

Two minutes into the second half replacement flanker Dan Probin, on for the injured Ryan Hawkins, charged over for Chosen’s bonus point try but King missed the conversion.

Chosen’s fifth try was a mirror image of their first two, with Gyde, who was in irrepressible form throughout, claiming his third touchdown of the afternoon after another drive from a lineout five metres out.

By now Quins were well beaten and flanker Rob Panting was on hand to finish off a flowing team move with a try wide out. King converted to extend his side’s lead to thirty three points and with the last play of the match, winger Dan Peacock crossed for try number seven converted by King.

The bonus point win moved Chosen up to seventh place and next week they are at home to early league leaders Barton Hill who currently sit just one point and one place above them. As with all matches scheduled for December and January, the match will kick-off at 2.15 pm.