SECOND XV

Latest Result:

09.04.08 -    Old Cryptians  18   Hucclecote   0   (combination cup)

Old Cryptians will progress to the next round of the Raging Bull Junior Cup for the first time in four years, after defeating visitors Hucclecote. In glorious sunshine, the hosts were quick to strike; winning an opposition line-out and moving the ball wide, releasing winger Richard Gills to crash over in the corner for an unconverted score.  Cryptians maintained their intensity, with strong running from centres Simon Mayo and Calum Drury providing fly-half Duncan Normington with a penalty kick and another three points.  Hucclecote reacted with some probing kicks and good set-piece play, but failed to convert their pressure into points.  Normington was allowed another three points when Hucclecote were caught offside, bringing the half-time scores to 11-0. The second half saw a downpour which restricted the fluidity of both teams play. Normington attempted a wide goal, but against the rain, could not find the three points. Despite this, Cryptians maintained good field position, which allowed for number eight Marc Stubbs to dance his way through several tackles to score the games second try. With Normington adding the extras, the hosts moved into a comfortable lead, yet this did not deter Hucclecote who staged a final attack on the Cryptians line. Unfortunately, in the dying minutes of the match, a serious injury to Cryptians scrum-half Andy Greene occurred, for which Hucclecote graciously allowed the referee to signal the end of the game, the result standing at 18-0 to Old Cryptians.

 29.03.08 -    Old Cryptians  17    Cainscross 0

Old Cryptians managed to finish their season with a flourish on Saturday, scoring seventeen unanswered points against a well-drilled Cainscross side. In torrid conditions, both teams looked to play a tactical game, testing the back-three with some searching kicks, and battling hard for the ball up front. Cryptians were first on the scoreboard, when fly-half Duncan Normington placed a well-timed chip over the Cainscross defence for outside centre Ash Bawden to pounce on and score his first Cryptians try, Normington adding the conversion. Cainscross were not to be deterred however, with eight and nine making impressive breaks from the back of the scrum. Yet is was Cryptians who were to next to score; winning a turnover on half-way, Cryptians centre’s tied the defence in knots, with winger Richard Gills straightening and scoring in the corner. Despite the weather conditions worsening, Cryptians maintained their brand of flowing rugby, with full-back Kev Day making significant inroads in the Cainscross defence. The telling score came deep into the second half, when number twelve Simon Mayo cut the perfect angle to beat the Cainscross defence to the white-wash, bringing the scores to 17-0.

08.03.08 -    Chelt Saracens II     12        Old Cryptians 34

01.03.08 -    Old Cryptians 7     Painswick 10

A strong Painswick pack collided with a spirited Cryptians side, in what was a closely fought match. In windy conditions, both sides battled tenaciously, displaying some excellent club rugby, and providing the spectators with some excellent entertainment. The hosts were first on the score-board, after Callum Drury finished a fine fifty metre break from centre Simon Mayo, to give Cryptians a 7-0 lead; the conversion being added by Duncan Normington. Painswick responded positively, with some excellent forward drives, but failed to convert their pressure into points. It was on the stroke of half-time, however, that Painswick managed to break the Cryptians defence; working the blind-side to touch down in the corner, and bring the scores to 7-5. The second-half was a boisterous affair, with both sides looking to out-muscle the other. Painswick’s superior forward strength began to show cracks in the Cryptians armour, with the scrum in particular showing dominance. After a period of intense pressure, Painswick managed to bundle over the Cryptians line for an unconverted try, bringing the scores to 7-10. Cryptians hit-back with some thrilling backs-moves, but failed to find the cutting edge in order to break the Painswick defence.

23.02.08 - Glos All Blues 1st  14   Old Cryptians 11

Old Cryptians put in a strong five try display to defeat Westbury and gain a vital away win. With the sun shining, both teams dared to throw the ball around, but it was Cryptians who were first to score when young centre Callum Drury broke through the heart of the Westbury defence to touch down for a converted score. Cryptians maintained their brand of free-flowing rugby, with full-back Kris Sullivan combining well with winger Mark Van Gills and establishing a platform for Drury to coast in for his second converted try. The Westbury pack responded with a series of impressive drives, eventually managing to bundle over for a score, bringing the scores to 14-7. Cryptians hit back with a series of impressive runs, leading to scores from flanker James Pearce and scrum-half Kieran McHugh, bringing the half time score to 28-7. Unfortunately the second half failed to deliver the same level of exciting rugby, with the game fragmenting into a series of unforced errors. Westbury took a quick penalty to score from 5 meters, but failed with the conversion attempt, leaving the scores at 28-12. Despite the fragmentation of play, Cryptians also took a quick penalty, enabling Drury to coast in unopposed for his hat-trick, and providing the visitors with the winning score, 33-12.  In what was a strong performance for the Gloucester team, with numerous players putting in strong performances, special mention must go to young flanker Keith Trigg, whose tenacity and physicality were superb.

03.02.08 - Longlevens   12  V  Old Cryptians   17

In what was a very erratic match, it was the visitors who were first on the score board, with fly-half Duncan Normington landing a close range penalty to bring the scores to 3-0. Longlevens responded with some impressive forward drives, but were enable to transfer their efforts into points. Cryptians retaliated with a series of barracking runs, resulting in centre Callum Drury making a scything run through the Longlevens defence, to touch down for a converted score. With the scores at 10-0 at half-time, Cryptians looked to have the momentum and it was they who started the second half the stronger. After a number of threatening breaks, Cryptians managed to make enough space for Drury to crash over from close range, scoring his second converted try.

With the scores at 17-0, Cryptians looked to have a strong grasp on the match, and when Longlevens were reduced to 14 men after a number of infringements, Longlevens looked to be dead and buried. Longlevens, however, responded positively, and in the space of ten minutes managed to score two tries, bringing the scores to 17-12.  There was enough time for one last hurrah, in which Longleven’s forwards and backs threw the kitchen sink at the Cryptians defence. Nevertheless, the visitors held strong, with some impressive cover tackling from full-back Keith Trigg and winger Richard Gills denying the hosts any further score.

26.01.08 - Cheltenham North  III's   38   V   Old Cryptians   12

19.01.08 - No Game - waterlogged pitch

12.01.08 - No Game - Waterlogged Pitch

05.01.08      Old Cryptians 60    Stow-On-The Wold   4  

26.12.07      Old Cryptians 10    0ld Richians  13

15.12.207 -    Dursey   5    Old Cryptians  29

Old Cryptians romped to a well-earned victory on the weekend, beating Dursley 29 points to 5. Dursley, who were sitting second in the table having only lost one game this season, were short of some key individuals and this allowed for a dominant Cryptians performance. Nursing some bruised pride from the 12-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Cryptians came out all guns blazing, and had number eight Chris Pietregalla, to thank for a barnstorming try in the first minute of the game. Cryptians maintained intense pressure on the Dursley line, and their superior pack managed to bundle over minutes later, with Pietregalla bagging his second on the match. Although both tries remained unconverted, the momentum was with the Gloucester side and after a number of telling breaks, Cryptians pressure was eventually rewarded as full-back Nick Lake snaffled a loose ball and barged over to bring the scores to 17-0, Cryptians fly-half Duncan Normington slotting the extras.  Normington soon brought his personal points tally to nine as he sold the Dursley defence an outrageous dummy, and strolled to the try line unopposed, bringing the half time score to 24-0. In what was a bitter and frosty game, Cryptians made the most of their substitutes, with a number of fresh legs joining the fray after the break. Replacement centre Aaron Ross made an immediate impact, putting over Cryptians own ‘Flying Dutchman’, Mark Van Gills, in for a score early into the second half. However, the level of intensity could not be maintained by either side, and a variety of errors entered the game. Cryptians spurned several other opportunities to extend their lead, whilst Dursley responded well by scoring a push-over try late into the game.  Unfortunately for Dursley it was too late to stage a comeback, with the well-earned points leaving with the Gloucester side.

01.12.207 -    Old Cryptians  17       Chelt Saracens 2nds  0

No Match report provided

24.11.07 -    Cainscross    5   Old Cryptians   5

No Match report provided

10.11.07 -    Old Cryptians 0     Dursley  12

No Match report provided

03.11.07 -    Stow-on-the-Wold  22       Old Cryptians 25

Old Cryptians RFC 2^nd XV travelled to Stow with a squad of 22, which was called into action before kick-off by lending Stow two players to ensure a full 15-a-side match went ahead.  Prop Steve Crowther played the full 80 minutes for Stow, and centre Simon Worsley started the game for Stow and was ended up finishing the game too, as a Stow injury reduced their eventual 14 players back down to the original 13!  Both players performed well throughout and thanks must go to them for playing for the opposition.  Josh Flounders unfortunately aggravated an existing injury in the warm-up, so was replaced in the starting line-up by Eric Reddy, making his first senior appearance for Cryptians, having played for the Crusaders junior team many moons ago.  Cryptians also handed debuts to Aaron Ross and Pete Lawrence from Hartpury College.

Stow made the better start, scoring early on after a superb break from their scrum-half and thanks for some poor tackling from Cryptians.  Cryptians immediately re-grouped and made significant ground with some fine runs from centre Aaron Ross.  Despite a large amount of possession, Cryptians were guilty of over-complicating, and were punished for repeated mistakes and infringements.  Centre Duncan Normington missed two penalties to leave Cryptians with no reward despite their territorial advantage.  Flanker Ray Sparey had to be replaced by Kev Evans when injured.  Stow scored again before half-time and went into the break 12-0 ahead. 

Cryptians made two further changes at half-time, replacing winger Ben Hawker with Chris Sullivan and full-back Nick Lake with Kian Barry.

Soon after the resumption, another try through their strong-running number 8, saw Stow stretch into a 17-0 lead.  Despite fly-half Pete Lawrence missing two penalties, Cryptians remained patient and continued to play the more enterprising rugby.  They were rewarded with their first try when Americo D’Amico, playing out of position at hooker, burst through a gap after strong running by winger Keith Trigg, and quick recycling work from the Cryptians pack, as always lead by captain Tom Butcher and the tireless James Pearce.  Pete Lawrence converted the try, to bring Cryptians back into the game at 17-7.

The score seemed to galvanise the team and Cryptians continued to press with good spirit and some fine open rugby.  Aaron Ross went over for their second try after a period of concerted pressure, but Lawrence missed the conversion from out wide.  He more than made up for it soon after, landing a penalty to bring Cryptians within striking distance at 17-15, followed by a well-taken drop goal to take the lead at 17-18.

Stow came back at Cryptians with some deep-kicking, but replacement full-back Kian Barry was more than up to the task, running the ball back on several occasions, gaining good ground and ensuring possession was retained.  Cryptians then scored the try of the game.  Aaron Ross broke out of his own 22, before off-loading to Chris Sullivan who beat the full-back and ran half the length of the pitch to score under the posts (although his ‘roly-poly’ try-scoring technique hinted at a previous career in football).  Lawrence duly converted, and Cryptians appeared in control at 17-25.  Adam Smart came on for Normington for the last ten minutes.  Stow showed good spirit themselves to score the final points of the game, a try out wide from a series of powerful drives, but failed to convert, leaving the final score at 22-25.

Another tough merit table game against Dursley 2^nd XV awaits Old Cryptians on Saturday 10^th November,  the team will take confidence from this result and more so from the overall performance and commitment showed in over-turning a 17 point deficit.

 TEAM: - A Stephens/A D’Amico/G Morris/E Reddy/L Bird/R Sparey (K Evans)/T Butcher/J Pearce/S Stephenson/P Lawrence/B Hawker (C Sullivan)/D Normington (A Smart)/A Ross/K Trigg/N Lake (K Barry)

SUBS NOT USED: - J Flounders – injured in warm-up/S Worsley – played for Stow RFC/S Crowther – played for Stow RFC

27.10.07 -    Bream 12        Old Cryptians 7

20.10.07 -    Old Cryptians 53      Chelt North III's 14

13.10.07 -    Old Cryptians 13       Fairford 5

29.09.07 -    Old Cryptians 45      Westbury 10  

After their poor start to the season Old Crypts 2^nd       faced Westbury in a merit table clash, determined to reverse their recent form and they did so in style scoring seven tries in a performance which is the best they’ve produced in two seasons.

Lack of experience in key positions has been a problem of late but there has never been a lack of commitment or effort and this was in evidence today. Following the example set by the excellent D’Amico at loose head and Ray Sparey on the flank, players such as Batton, Flounders and Bird all made great contributions and set the platform for the backs to work from.

Tom Butcher, out of position at scrum half was lively all afternoon whilst Joe Bate-Williams controlled well at fly half, often feeding centre James Pearce coming in from deep to good effect. Outside them, strong running from Collingwood in particular made space for wingers Gills and Worsley and they in turn were rewarded with great support from the forwards to enable quick ball for the next phase.   

One try in the first half stood out particularly with interplay between backs and forwards covering half the pitch as the ball was passed around almost barbarian’s style. This showed great handling, support play and awareness and took the attention of the VPs watching the firsts on the adjacent pitch. One comment described it as champagne rugby and you couldn’t disagree.  

Tries were scored by Tom Batten (2), D’Amico, Rich Gills, James Pearce and Chris Collingwood. Josh Flounders kicked five conversions.  

All in all a confidence building performance and one which they can build on going forward. There were occasional problems in the set piece against a taller and bigger pack but in open play, the recent focus on rucking and ball retention and fitness has obviously paid dividends. In addition, debutants Mark Gould and James Naylor acquitted themselves well and look promising for the future.

However, there will be tougher challenges ahead and although skipper Bate-Williams was delighted with the performance he is now looking to his team to continue the good form starting with a more regular attendance at training.

22.09.07 -  Painswick 2nds  68     Old Cryptians 0

A first-class display of drive and sportsmanship from OC’s kept heads high despite being out matched by a strong Painswick Side. The score does not quite reflect the effort put in from Old Cryptians seconds as they soldiered on despite the final score 68 – 0. OC’s were lacking experience where it counts

Si Worseley had a nice run up the right wing but was unable to finish. Dave Gray made a cheeky break off the back of a ruck only to be illegally challenged by the Painswick Fly-Half which the ref failed to see. Some fine tackling from Tom Butcher, Sam Stephenson and James Pearce and great strong running from Gareth Morris was regrettably overlooked.

All in all a hearty display of courage from OC’s made an enjoyable game for most who took part.

15.09.07 -  Old Cryptians II's       ?        Cinderford IV's  ?

Old Cryptains showed a very encouraging display of rugby despite losing to a strong Cinderford on what was a very hot day.

Even with a lot of the squad playing out of position or finding their feet they managed to gel together very well and showed some promising signs of exploiting gaps. Tom Butcher at Captain fired the team up from the start.  

Each and every one of the team showed that they would not shy away from making the tackles.

A shame that the score was always against OC’s in what proved to be a hard fought game from both sides.