Field day for Leo as county start with a win

GLOUCESTERSHIRE opened their Bill Beaumont County Championship at Dockham Road with a 54-14 demolition of Devon.

The game was barely 3 minutes old when after a good build up winger Harry Tovey darted over for the first try, full back Leo Fielding converting.

Devon spurned a chance to reduce the arrears when Tom Putt sliced his penalty wide and Gloucestershire extended their lead to 14-0 when, after a Liam Hemming break, Fielding raced over for his first try which he duly converted.

However Devon were soon on the attack from a wayward Gloucestershire pass, Putt touching down by the posts before adding the extras.

Centre Sam Goatley crossed for a well worked unconverted try and just before the half time break flanker George Angell burst over from an attacking maul with Fielding adding the extras to extend the Gloucestershire lead to 26-7 .

Gloucestershire opened the second half with some fluent rugby and star man Fielding scored his second try, which he converted for a 33-7 lead.

Gloucestershire continued to dominate and after good work from the forwards centre Will Mansfield touched down for another try,

»

Fielding adding the conversion.

The demolition continued as Goatley grabbed his second try, Fielding converting from wide out on the touchline.

With 62 minutes played another jinking break from Hemming found Fielding to stroll over for his hat trick try, followed by his seventh conversion.

Devon, in a rare visit to the Gloucestershire half, were able to finish on a high note when captain Wayne Sprangle touched down with Putt converting with the last kick.

Gloucestershire face Kent at Clifton on Saturday.