Sherborne’s long journey to Cheltenham College promised to be a tough encounter against a formidable side bolstered by Gloucester Academy players and a pair of imposing South Africans. True to expectations, Cheltenham were a physical and talented outfit, but Sherborne displayed remarkable resilience, combining unwavering defence with an uncanny knack for forcing errors. Despite falling narrowly short, Sherborne proved they were every bit as competitive as their opponents and can take immense pride in their performance.

First Half:

Cheltenham began the game with all guns blazing, sending their sizeable forwards crashing down the middle in an attempt to break through Sherborne’s defence. Sherborne, however, met them head-on with ferocious tackling, restricting the home side to scoring exclusively in the wide channels. Cheltenham’s early two tries gave them a 10-0 lead, but difficult conversion angles meant their advantage wasn’t as substantial as it could have been.

Sherborne clawed their way back into the game through a monster 42-metre penalty from Edwin L, bringing the score to 10-3. Although Cheltenham struck again with another wide-channel try, taking the lead to 17-3, Sherborne’s refusal to yield began to frustrate their hosts. Key turnovers from Myles BH, Ali RT, and Edwin L at scrum-half allowed Sherborne to gain momentum.

A series of penalties saw Sherborne camped near the Cheltenham line. Taking a quick tap-and-go, Ali RT powered through three defenders in a stunning show of determination to score. Edwin’s accuracy with the boot continued to outshine Cheltenham’s kicker, closing the gap to 17-10.

With the wind and slope in their favour in the second half, Sherborne aimed to keep the deficit to one score. Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration just before the break allowed Cheltenham to cross again out wide. The missed conversion left the halftime score at 22-10.

Second Half:

The second half began with Sherborne ramping up their intensity, forcing Cheltenham into errors as their discipline began to falter. Building confidence, Sherborne made headway through Jem L and Dave A, who carried strongly and tackled relentlessly. Cheltenham struggled to contain Sherborne’s ability to beat the first defender on each carry, which allowed the visitors to gain momentum.

Sustained pressure inside the Cheltenham 22 culminated in Alistair D powering over from close range, demonstrating his strength and agility as he shrugged off multiple defenders. At 22-17, the game was finely balanced, with the next score proving critical.

Sherborne’s growing dominance in the middle of the field forced Cheltenham to narrow their defence. Spotting an opportunity, Hamish K executed a pinpoint cross-field kick to Albi on the wing. What looked like a certain try was denied by the cruel bounce of the rugby ball. Cheltenham capitalised on their reprieve, with their fly-half launching a similar cross-field kick that their winger caught on the full to extend their lead to 27-17.

With seven minutes left, Sherborne showed immense character, refusing to concede defeat. They pushed hard, earning crucial penalties to gain territory. Will H was next to score, demonstrating his footwork and power in tight spaces to bring the score to 27-24 with just one minute remaining.

Cheltenham’s restart was sent deep into Sherborne’s 22, forcing the visitors to play from their own half. Sherborne managed possession well, patiently probing for a Cheltenham error. Unfortunately, Cheltenham’s defence held firm, forcing a ball carrier into touch near halfway to end the match.

Final Score: Cheltenham 27 - 24 Sherborne

Sherborne can hold their heads high after this remarkable effort against a physically imposing and highly skilled side. Their defensive grit, ability to force turnovers, and flashes of attacking brilliance are a testament to their character. With three fixtures remaining against Bryanston, Radley, and Canford, Sherborne can take many positives from this performance as they push towards a strong finish to the season.