Its fair to say this has been a tough season for Dowty RFC. The club last won on the 6th Feb 2016. But sometimes results aren't a fair reflection of effort and determination. Although the club have taken some hammerings, The players kept going and beliving. We'd turn up with 6 players, players out of position and give everything for the badge. Coach Neil Roberts and Captain Neil Roberts kept telling us all that if we got xv of us on the pitch and kept playing we'd get the performance we deserved. A few weeks back we came very close to getting a result against Tewkesbury and everyone arrived focused to give there all against a good Civil Service side.

The side were boosted by the return to the club of Nathan Gurney and James Wingate, adding some much bulk and aggressive running to the pack. Paul Thomas, also felt fit enough to add himself to the bench. With only his second game of the season, the club were boosted with an appearance in the Centre of Phillip McAllister, a return at 9 of Sam Wichard. With a debut for Luke Bishop in the centre, the club were able to put their strongest side out of the season, but that would mean nothing if we didn't perform.

Electing to play up the field, Civil (who seemed to have an uncanny ability to find me with everykick off) kicked and Dowty fielded the kick well launching an attack up field. Good play by the backs and a fantastic scrum by Dowty took the club into the 22 following a great break by Sam Wichard and before long, Civil's strong defence were forced to concede a penalty that Nathan Evans slotted.

From the returning Kick off, Toby Robinson took a difficult kick under pressure and a fine offload to Russ Brookes, who fed Wingate, set up a good platform for attack. Good hands by the backs left Paddy to draw the final man and a well timed passed, left John Barnes with a run into the corner for the first try of the afternoon.

Civil came back into the game though and some strong running by their back aggressive carriers, allowed them to get some much needed territory. Dowty indiscipline lead to a conceded penalty in their 22, and the players did not reacted to a well time quick tap that allowed Civil to power over and bring themselves back into the game. Shortly after more lapses in attention lead to a similar situation and Service tapped from 5 Metres out and strong play lead to a good finish to give Service a narrow lead after their 10 converted.

Dowtys came back and sustained pressure in the 22, after strong runs from the backline, lead to a series of scrums in the corner. Landry was held up 5 metres out and it looked like the chance had gone. However, an early engage by Civil gave Dowty a tap penalty, Sam went quick and Nath fed Luke who cut a great line to power over to give Dowty the lead at half time.

Half Time: Dowty 17 Civil Service 12

The second half was a fiery half with strong defence the story. A huge hit by Luke Bishop on Civil Captain Nathan Watts, rallied Dowtys who absorbed wave after wave of Civil runs, their 10 constantly probing and making breaks, but the defence held firm. The key change was following what looked a clear penalty for Civil for an overside, being reversed for a bit of handbags and Civil down to 14 men.

From here, Dowtys were ale to provide clean ball for the backs, Sam's delivering excellent service, and a combo of probing kicks by Nath, and Paddy and Luke linking well, giving Jez and John the space they thrive, in supported by Matt evans who as usual was everyone cutting any attacks down. It wasn't long before pressure told and Nath slotted another penalty to extend the lead. From kick off Dowty secured a scrum on half way and great hands by the backs left Luke Bishop in for another run in that gave Dowty a good lead.

Service never gave up though and their back 3 came more into the match, with fast young runners, and the pack continued to carry aggressively and Dowtys defence was tested again. The best defensive display of the season from Dowty's was the responce though and a turn over on the 10 metre line was kicked on by Nathan Evans who managed to gather is own kick and dot down for the decisive score.

Service never gave up though and continued to run hard at the Dowty line and were able to bundle over for a well deserved final score.

All in all a great game of rugby, that could have gone either way, but a great reward to Dowty for their hard work. They can now look to build on this with the upcoming fixtures, having moved off the bottom of the table.

Man of the Match: Sam Wichard.