Drauniniu stars for Combined Services

Worcester wing Josh Drauniniu was among the scorers for the Combined Services as they were defeated 40-33 by the Gloucester Presidents XV – who featured Sixways hooker Chris Fortey – at Kingsholm on Tuesday night.

Drauniniu impressed throughout the game, which raised funds for the Royal British Legion,and helped the Servives strike first when he weaved his way through after fielding a kick before linking with Ceri Cummings who put centre Dale Sleeman in for the score.

The Presidents XV, with Fortey relishing his Kingsholm return, were on top up front though and it was the driving maul that got them back on terms via flanker Chris McNeil.

The Services struck again from deep again as Malakai Magnus broke from deep and set up Ifereimi Bolodua for the second try before Drauninui inspired another long range break and finished off his own move as he took an offload near the line.

However, the Presidents XV bounced back with two tries from Jack Preece and a score from James Pettigrew to open up a 26-21 lead.

The Services again went ahead in the final quarter as David Manning broke a tackle near the line only for the Presidents XV to hit straight back as wing Ryan Brend sprinted over.

A frantic finale saw Bolodua break tackles and power his way over to level the scores at 33 all before, in one last effort, the Presidents XV piled forward and the pack drove over to score the winning try.


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