Western Counties North

Bristol Saracens 45

Cirencester 3

CIRENCESTER'S poor form continued with a 45-3 loss to Bristol Saracens.

Both sides were promoted from the Gloucester Premier last season but they have since headed in different directions. Saracens have acquitted themselves well in the higher league, sitting in the top half of the table, while The Whiteway club are third from bottom.

However, it was a proud day for the Newman family, with three brothers – Oli, Luke and Noah – playing together for the first team.

Their father John, himself a club stalwart, player and Colts coach, was on hand to cheer his sons from the touchline.

Cirencester were 7-0 down in the blink of an eye when immediately from the kick-off the ball was fielded and the resulting box kick was charged down enabling the home side to score, followed by a successful conversion.

The game then entered a disjointed period with both sides struggling to assert any authority.

Cirencester on numerous occasions spilled the ball from promising field positions, only to be punished as Saracens again went over to make the score 14-0.

Ciren hit back with good attacking play, without having the accurate execution to score, but they did get a penalty kick which was slotted between the posts by Adam Barker to make the half-time score 14-3.

Instead of making the first score after the interval to keep pressure on the home side, it was Saracens who extended their lead. And as has happened in previous games, once a team breaches Ciren’s line they tend to back it up in quick succession with further scores. Saracens were soon 31-3 ahead.

The Whiteway team's bid to stop another avalanche of scores was hampered by injuries to Zeb Waite, Carmine Urti, and the influential Dave Evans – no help at all to the visitors' cause.

Bristol Saracens went on to score two more converted tries to end the afternoon 45-3 victors.

THE Cirencester 2nd XV played Brockworth 2s at The Whiteway and put in a solid performance despite going down 15-24 in a competitive encounter.

THIS weekend the 1st XV are back at home for an important league fixture against Old Bristolians, who sit mid-table.