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Old Centralians enjoy North Gloucestershire Combination clean sweep but Matson push them so close

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Monday, 13th May 2019, 11:00

Senior Cup winners Old Centralians. Picture, Shaun Lafferty

Three cup finals, two teams but only one winner.

Old Centralians enjoyed a clean sweep at this year’s North Gloucestershire Combination cup finals day, beating Matson in all three finals at Kingsholm.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story because just six points separated these two heavyweight clubs over the three games.

Old Centralians won the Glanville Cup – the competition for clubs’ third teams – 33-30 and followed up by winning the Junior Cup 23-22.

The showpiece final – the Senior Cup – was just as close with Cents pulling through to win 17-15 in an excellent game played in front of a decent-sized and vociferous crowd.

It was the first time that Cents, who have now won the Senior Cup five times in the last eight years, have won the clean sweep, something that has been achieved previously by both Matson and Coney Hill.

And what of Matson’s flagship team, the team who never know when they are beaten? Just ask Old Colfeians, Kenilworth, who they almost overcame in the RFU Intermediate Cup final eight days ago, and now Cents.

Cents, who play a division above Matson in South West One East, eased into a 17-5 lead early in the second half and it looked ominous for the Western Counties North club but they dug deep, scored two further tries and kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Matson actually outscored Cents on tries scored – three to two – but it was Cents who were celebrating at the end of another great day for rugby in the city.

Other Images

Junior Cup winners Old Centralians. Picture, Shaun Lafferty

Rod Creese, captain of Old Centralians’ 3rds, lifts the Glanville Cup. Picture, Shaun Lafferty

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Old Centralians enjoy North Gloucestershire Combination clean sweep but Matson push them so close

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