Old Cryptians travel to Smiths at the Prince of Wales Stadium for a ‘Double Header’ where the result will count towards both the Gloucestershire League and Cup campaign.

This weekend is the biggest fixture and challenge of the season so far with everything to play for. Cryptians and Smiths were due to face each other in the Gloucestershire One league fixture on the 26th of October. However, due to Smiths having many first team players unavailable on that day, in true rugby spirit Cryptians agreed to a ‘Double Header’ fixture on October 12th so they could field their strongest side and both teams could give it their all.

This meant that the result would count towards the first round of the knockout competition and contribute to league standings. Therefore, both teams were looking for a win but aware they needed to find bonus points to further their league campaign as well.

Over the years, these two teams have often met in league action, the more recent being 2018/19 fixtures which saw Cryptians being victorious on both occasions firstly with the away trip resulting in a 18-36 win and then the return home fixture 52-12.
Cryptians, were keen to keep up the momentum they have built throughout their successful pre-season and league games by earning themselves another victory including the important bonus point to help extend their lead at the top of Gloucestershire One.

So, club captain Chad Crosby led his troops out at the Prince of Wales Stadium on Tommy Taylor Lane ready for the test.

Cryptians were set to kick off the game and new signing Luke McMahon put a perfectly weighted kick in for Vice Captain Jack Flounders to climb above his opposite number and claim. A few quick phases of play for Crypt was met by a strong defence from Smiths. McMahon opted to drill the ball low to the corner pinning Smiths in their own 22m.

Smiths shortened 5-man line-out saw them concede a penalty as the remaining forwards joined the driving maul before the line-out had finished. A quick tap penalty from Gareth Flounders charged them up to the Smiths 5m, quick ruck ball from Trigg to feed Luke McMahon, he shrugs off a couple of defenders and dot down under the sticks.

Fantastic high pace start from Crypts getting the first points on the board in just under 3 minutes.

Luke McMahon converts his own try.

Smiths RFC 0 – 7 Old Cryptians RFC

The game restarts and Smiths find aerial specialist Jack Flounders who gathers successfully however Cryptians concede a break penalty which puts Smiths in range for 3 points. The kick drifts wide. Cryptians with the 22m drop out.

Smiths return the drop out with some strong carries through their significantly heavier forwards and accompanied by their scrum half who stole far too many yards than Crypts should have allowed.

Smiths not only strong in the carry but also have a dominant scrum. Cryptians mange to hold off the shove from Smiths to release the backs. A good move sees the ball reach Joe Langbridge on the wing, he chips over the top but unfortunately it just runs dead. We scrum again.

Smiths have a bit of urgency about them and make their way down the field to Cryptians 22m. Fortunately a great chop tackle gave the
Cryptians No.8 Hurdle a clear shot at the ball. Once he puts the anchor down there is no moving him. The referee rightly awards a penalty for not releasing. Gareth Flounders hears the call from player-coach Jake McMahon, who puts his boots on for the first time this season, takes a quick tap penalty and shifts the ball for a quick counter attack. A good cover tackle from Smiths on Luke McMahon forces a knock on. A quick breather as we restart the game with another scrum.

First 20 minutes pass with Smiths on top in the possession and territory stats. A strong pack and scrum coupled with some loose tackles from Cryptians giving Smiths the scrum-half a platform he clearly enjoys.

Cryptians begin to meet Smiths’ carriers with some big shots coming in from Hurdle, Brice and Stroud. Captain Crosby also lines up his man and puts in a great shot, unfortunately the man he tackled didn’t have the ball and was nowhere near the play, so the referee has no choice but to issue him with a yellow card. Jack Flounders steps up to captain the side.

A man down in the scrum but Crypt hold their own and scrummage fantastically forcing Smiths to use their backs. Another great few hits on defence from the 10-12 partnership of McMahon and Jones. Smiths once again look to their forwards for an answer to which the strong defence cause a knock on. Hurdle receives some treatment after a big collision and Cryptians choose to sacrifice weight in the scrum for speed in defence as Gareth Flounders makes way for Luke Stephens.

Cryptians knew they had to work hard and find an extra gear to keep Smiths out. Smiths immediately gain a free kick from the scrummage and the scrum-half reacts first with a quick tap and he’s off. Scramble defence holds him short and stops him on the 5m. In come the battering rams. Smiths send in the big lads for some carries but that is met with some even bigger hits. An over-keen defence gives away a penalty for being offside and Smiths select a scrum.

Forwards dig deep with the help of Jones coming in to add some extra weight on the flank and Crypts hold the scrum. A few more phases from Smiths and in comes the mini wrecking ball that is Stephens. He rips the ball from the Smiths player forcing a knock on. Cryptians scrum on the 5m. A strong exit is needed here but Crypts only manage to reach the 22m.

A solid 15 minutes of play in the Cryptians half, most of which was spent camped inside the Crypt 22m. Cryptians touched the ball once as Smiths fired everything they had at Crypts with carry after carry. Frustration showing from Smiths leads to a Smiths second row picking on the smallest but arguable hardest man on the field Stephens. The ref does well to calm things, and we get back under way.

Smiths restart from another scrum and begin to walk Cryptians scrum back towards the line. The scrum halts and once again Smiths stick to their game plan and Crypts answer with more crucial tackles. Every Cryptians player throwing arm, leg and body on the line to keep them out. Crosby now returns from his time in the sin bin to lead his men once again doing what he does best and adding fire to the Cryptians belly. Hit after hit coming in and eventually the hard work paid off as another knock on is forced and the referee calls for half time.

Cryptians biggest celebration of the season so far and rightly so. Time to re-group and go again.

HALF TIME: SMITHS RFC 0 – 7 OLD CRYPTIANS RFC

Smiths to restart. Cryptians team remains unchanged from the side that finished the half. Smiths lose their biggest carrier as their 6 takes a seat in the dug out and he is looking a little worse for wear. This is where Cryptians will be relying on their fitness and patience to open-up the game.

Second half underway and Cryptians start strong and get back into their systems which have proved to serve them well this season so far.

A turnover ball in midfield and Jack Flounders pounces on the loose ball.. Now what happened next is open to speculation. If you ask Flounders, then the story he will tell you is that it was planned. However, the more likely theory was that the Type 1 diabetic was running a little low on sugars after Robbie Mustoe ate his chocolate and drank his half-time Lucozade. This state of confusion led to the back row picking up the ball and putting in what could have been considered the worst up and under ever seen as it travels one yard forward and 20 yards laterally. However, as most of the players were caught ball watching and trying to come to terms with what happened, Flounders has managed to catch his own kick then offload to Rob Trigg who found space to make a break. A few phases later, chocolate thief Mustoe skips across the line for Cryptians second try.

Conversion missed.

Smiths RFC 0 – 12 Old Cryptians RFC

Unfortunately, our man on the side-line missed the next 10 minutes due to a few beers and an old bladder. However, reports came in to say that Crypts stayed dominate in the second half and moved the ball around with much more purpose.

Now a very tired Smiths gave away a penalty for the tackler not releasing and Crypts opt for the corner still aware that they need a bonus point to extend their lead in Gloucestershire One and the kick is good. Line out from Crypts is good and drive is strong. Credit to Smiths defence on this occasion as they hold Cryptians up. Crypt Scrum 5meters out.

A few phases of play and Crypt earn another penalty. Once again, the corner is the only option. This time no mistakes made.
Driving line-out and Jack Flounders is over the line for the try.

Luke McMahon slots the extras.

Smiths RFC 0 – 19 Old Cryptians RFC

Another change in personnel saw Rob Trigg take a rest. Luke Stephens moves from openside flanker to scrum half and Toby Harris into the second row whilst Jack Flounders returns to the back row.

Not long after the restart Crypts earn a lineout to which they have been dominant all day. Player-coach Jake McMahon throwing fantastic darts to the back of the line for our jumpers to collect with ease… Although Jack Flounders attempted to catch one line-out with his face resulting in a scrum for Smiths to which McMahon was not impressed with.

Following the scrum Stroud and his opposite second row are in a textbook pushing and shoving match. The referee saw this as a bit more menacing as the situation was and sent Stroud for his own 10 minute break in the sin bin.

Gareth Flounders eagerly returns to the pitch replacing his younger brother Jack Flounders.

Referee says another 18 minutes on the clock so still plenty of time for Crypt to earn a bonus point but also for Smiths to make a comeback. The game is far from won.

Cryptians now level their heads and go back to basics. Solid running in the backs from Brind, Josh Flounders and Langbridge accompanied by fantastic clearing up of the ruck ball from the forwards all dictated by McMahon at fly-half. This is the rugby Cryptians are best at.

Great gains running sees Cryptians down in the Smiths 22m. Back ball from the line-out is unchallenged now so they hit a drive and
rumble on. Maul breaks down and after a few phases of play Smiths concede another penalty. Crypts revisit the corner.

Stroud returns form the bin.

Another great throw to the back and Gareth Flounders peel off the maul straight away this time for some crucial yards. Crypt forwards have a rumble with great carries from the front row Brice, Kellaway and McMahon. Harris making a great impact with his big hits and now carrying strong falling just short of the line. Flounders cleaned out the ruck and Harris thought he could still make the line. The referee disagreed and called for double movement. Smiths have a chance to clear lines but barely make the 22m.

Just a couple minutes left on the clock and Cryptians go for a drive but the weighty Smiths pack forces Crypt to use the ball. Backs run a great move and were on the line. Stephens hits McMahon at fly-half and McMahon floats in a 30-yard 'Cipriani like' pass to find Brice, whos lifts to Crosby to then finish, securing the bonus point and the win.

Luke McMahon converts.

Smiths RFC 0 – 26 Old Cryptians RFC

Kellaway makes way for Morris to see off the final few minutes.

The restart is caught by Harris. Smiths players fly into the ruck recklessly. The referee blows up. 30 seconds left on the clock and the referee decides enough is enough for today.

FULL TIME: SMITHS 0 – 26 OLD CRYPTIANS RFC

A great performance from everyone in a Cryptians jersey matched by a sea of Cryptians on the side-line.

Old Farts Man of the Match – Jack Flounders

We look forward to our next challenge where we travel to Fairford in the next round of the Cup on the 2nd of November.

DEUS ANIMIS BENEDICAT