CHOSEN HILL FP 14 BERRY HILL 12

With Berry Hill looking for a win to cement their place in Western Counties North for next season and Chosen, with one eye on Tuesday’s NGC Senior Cup Semi-Final against Matson, both clubs fielded sides that showed several changes from their previous line-ups.

The match started at real pace but despite having the advantage of both slope and wind, Chosen were unable to break down the stubborn visitors defence and it was Berry Hill who finally opened the scoring after thirty minutes with an unconverted try from a driving five metre lineout.

Five minutes later, Chosen got their first points on the board when, after good approach work from his fellow backs, stand-in full back Tom Darby raced over for a try converted by outside half Andy King to make the half-time score 7-5.

A twenty five minute stalemate at the start of the second half was finally broken when Berry Hill went over for their second try after a fumble in the Chosen defence near the half-way line gave away the ball and Berry Hill’s forwards and backs combined well to set up the score. The conversion put them back into the lead by five points.

With ten minutes remaining Chosen retook the lead when they won a penalty thirty five metres out and King kicked to the corner. The resulting lineout was won cleanly and the Chosen pack drove over the line for skipper and open-side flanker Tom Gyde to touch down. King added the extras for a two point lead.

Both sides continued to play open attacking rugby but there was no further score and whilst Chosen maintained their firth place in the league, Berry Hill had to be content with a losing bonus point which may well prove vital in the fight for survival.

Next week Chosen entertain Drybrook in their final home league match of the season but before that they face Matson away on Tuesday night in the Semi-Final of the NGC Senior Cup.