CIRENCESTER Under 15s were held to a 7-7 draw in the final match of the opening round of the County Cup at rivals Stroud.

But the result was enough to confirm their passage to the quarter-finals.

Stroud opened up with a powerful early attack, but each time they were driven back by solid defending.

The visitors carved out several scoring opportunities but Ciren's cool heads kept them at bay.

The visitors' pack was awesome both in the set pieces and in the rucks.

The front five, led by Loveridge, set a solid platform enabling the back row of Heaven and the Farnan brothers to launch attacks around the fringe of the scrums and quickly close down the Stroud advances.

As the first half drew to a close however, a Stroud centre found a chink in the Cirencester line and scored between the posts a try that was converted.

With everything to play for Cirencester took advantage of the wind and immediately pushed Stroud back, but still could not break through.

Lawson was substituted by Burley who came on as flanker with Heaven moving to lock.

Eventually, the power of the Cirencester forwards took their toll on Stroud and Nick Farnan drove through from the back of a maul and recycled the ball for Loveridge to touch down beneath the posts, Constable adding a conversion.

In the closing minutes, Burley had a run at the line and McGillick took a well-timed snap ball, making a jinking run to within a metre of scoring.

However, the final whistle came to Stroud's rescue and Ciren went through to the last eight as leaders of their league on points.