North Bristol 20 Chosen Hill Former Pupils 37

On a bright but cold afternoon Chosen had first use of a strong following wind and took the lead after eight minutes when number ten Andy King landed a penalty goal.

Five minutes later North Bristol levelled the scores with a penalty of their own but on twenty minutes Chosen re-gained the lead when Claridge burst through the home defence thirty meters out and sprinted in for a try under the posts with King adding the conversion for a 10 – 3 lead..

The rest of the half was scoreless as several times the strong wind took attacking kicks from Chosen over the dead ball line and solid defence from both sides halted attacks with ball in hand.

Chosen made changes at half time bringing on Marc Riddel in the centre for injured Mike King and brother Ian Riddel for flanker Kirk Lewis and both were to make significant contributions as Chosen took control of the match.

Five minutes into the half King landed his second penalty goal and minutes later added the conversion to Claridge’s second try which was another fine effort from twenty meters out.

An unconverted try from North Bristol took the score to 20 – 8 but replacement number eight Ian Riddel was beginning to punch huge holes in the Bristol defence and after Chosen hooker Mike Darby fielded an attacking kick just outside his twenty two he made ground before slipping the ball to Riddel who charged forward before releasing winger Tom Darby who weaved his way through the home defence and crossed near the corner. King was just off target with the conversion but his side now had a seventeen point lead.

Chosen flanker Tom Gyde was binned for a deliberate knock-on and while he was off the field the hosts kept their hopes alive with an unconverted try in the corner from a penalty lineout catch and drive.

With fifteen minutes remaining and Gyde back on, Chosen launched an attack from halfway as Riddel picked up at the base of a scrum and stormed forward. When he was halted just outside the home twenty-two the ball was quickly re-cycled and Claridge was on hand to cross for his third and Chosen’s bonus point try which King converted.

On seventy five minutes Claridge crossed again, his fourth try of the afternoon and his eleventh in the last five games, King’s conversion attempt into the wind drifted wide. North Bristol however had the final say as they landed a converted try on the stroke of full time.

Next week Chosen are at home to Bristol Harlequins with a 2.30 kick-off