It proved to be a wonderful occasion as a crowd of around 200 people turned up on an unseasonably cold evening to watch a thrilling match between the two clubs whose HQs are on opposite sides of the road at Lansdown. Both sets of players produced a spectacle befitting the occasion under the new lights with the underdogs Old Sulians producing an inspired performance to upset their neighbours who are two levels higher in the RFU league structures.
Playing an expansive style of rugby, Su’s opened up a deserved early lead with two penalties and a converted try before Walcot started to claw their way back into the game with a try to reduce the deficit. Su’s responded to the challenge with another score through their dangerous runners but, after the interval, Walcot tightened up their game and started to adopt a more forceful approach. This reaped dividends with another couple of tries and it seemed that Walcot would pull away to close out the game.
A committed Sulians team had other ideas though as they refused to accept second best, closing the gap to a single point as the last 5 minutes approached. Then jubilation for their players and supporters as they added another converted try to spark off their celebrations with an excellent 30-24 win.
Old Sulians will meet the winners of Combe Down vs Warminster in the final to be played on the Rec in May.