Gloucester Premier League
Bream 19, Bristol Saracens 13
A CLOUD of despair hung over Bream six months ago as the future of the village rugby team – the oldest club in the Forest – hung in the balance.
"I couldn't see where we were going to get a team from. Everyone had disappeared," said manager Andrew 'Chunky' Davis.
"But new coach Phil Jones joined from Berry Hill and I have to say he has worked wonders. A few new players came along and some of the older hands reappeared and now things are going very well," said Davis.
Bream produced a typically committed performance to see off a tenacious Saracens team on Saturday and they now have nine points from nine games and are holding their own in a tough league.
Davis is full of praise for the effort the team and coach is putting in.
"There is a good team spirit. Though it is a bit of a struggle we are regularly fielding two teams and we are getting stronger. The after-match atmosphere is excellent and the hope is that we can make steady progress in the future," he said.
Skippered by experienced second rower Dave Vaughan, the senior team built up a useful 13 points half-time advantage against Saracens. Centre Richard Halford had scored a try converted by Ian Howells who also kicked a penalty.
But the Forest boys relaxed ... and, in Davis's words, it was almost terminal.
"For a while the forwards almost packed up playing and Saracens got back on equal terms. Fortunately we woke up and came back strongly towards the end to deserve our win," he said.
Outside-half Howells was in good kicking form and his two penalties in the last quarter saw Bream squeeze home.
Among the players to impress was number eight John Mitchell while Davis says a youngster to watch out for is full-back Dave Hartwell.