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Dursley and Cirencester lock horns in Stroud Rugby Combination cup final

Stroud District > Sport > Rugby Union

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Friday, 28th April 2017, 09:00

Cirencester take on Dursley in the Senior Cup final on Friday Cirencester take on Dursley in the Senior Cup final on Friday

Dursley Rugby Club are looking to complete a hat-trick of Stroud Combination Senior Cup wins when they tackle Cirencester at Stroud tonight (7.30pm).

The Gloucester One club defeated Stroud in 2015 and Cirencester last year and won’t lack motivation against opponents who have been playing two divisions higher than them this season.

Chairman Simon Bilous said: “We played really, really well in both finals and as defending champions we are going into the game in a positive frame of mind.

“We know we’ll have to up our game but we’re certainly not going there just to make up the numbers.”

Cirencester have had a difficult season in Western Counties North which ended in relegation back to Gloucester Premier.

That is still a level above where Dursley – who finished mid-table this season – will be playing in 2017/18 and Bilous added: “Any club that play above us are going to have a strong set of forwards and that is where the game will be won and lost.

“But we’ve got a good pack. We’ve got a strong set-piece and a strong mobile back row and we’re hoping they’ll win enough ball for our backs who have got good pace.”

Skipper Jack Robson is one of the mainstays of the breakaway trio and Bilous hopes he will continue as captain next season.

These are exciting times for the club who opened their new £500,000 changing rooms on Saturday.

They now have six changing rooms – they previously had four – and Bilous said: “We needed to be able to service three pitches and we weren’t able to do that before.

“They were cramped and dirty, but most importantly, we now run a women’s team and a minis and juniors section as well as the men’s teams and we need to be able to cater for all of them.

“We’re also affiliated with Dursley Running Club and they have a mixed membership as well.”

Cirencester director of rugby Andy Deacon knows his team face a test as they look for revenge for last season’s final defeat.

“Dursley always have plenty of motivation when they play us,” he said. “We’ve had a difficult season but we’re in a cup final even though we haven’t played a game in this year’s competition.

“We’re struggling a bit with injuries and unavailabilities but we’ll certainly go out and give it our best.”

Other Images

Dursley clinched a combination cup treble last season. Pictured from left, Stuart Newman (2nd XV captain), Scott Udal (1st XV captain) and Tim Colston (3rd XV captain)

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