Local rugby: Paul Glen's penalty with two minutes left gave Ashley Down an 18-15 victory over fellow strugglers Aretians and lifted them three places off the bottom of Gloucester One.

With both sides fighting to avoid relegation, Down edged this dour encounter with tries from Nick Rogers, Sam Gervais and Joe Murray.

For Aretians, Chris Hill and Ben Smith touched down and Andy Cockram landed a penalty and a conversion.

Steve Romanowski kicked a penalty in Chipping Sodbury's 10-3 defeat to Cheltenham Civil Service.

Old Bristolians are up to fifth after winning 27-3 at home to Bishopston, thanks to tries by Tom Keen, Mike Barton, Lyndon Davies and Steve Forster. Simon Hawkins slotted two conversions and a penalty.

In Gloucester Premier, Southmead are second after coming from behind to win 22-17 at Old Colstonians and Matson were held 5-5 by Bristol Saracens.

Colstonians led 17-5 at the break thanks to a brace of tries from Grant Williams plus two conversions and a penalty by George Burrows.

For Southmead, Gary Sposito touched down twice while Greg Welling celebrated his call-up for the Navy rugby side with a try. Danny Cotterell landed a penalty and two conversions.

David Wright touched down midway through the second half to level the scores for Saracens at Spartans.

Dane Weaver and Andy Watts scored tries for Whitehall in their 15-5 win against Frampton Cotterell. Sam Pearce added a conversion and a penalty while Mike Ashwin replied for Frampton.

Skipper Paul Allen crossed for the 22nd time this season in Kingswood's 10-3 win at Tetbury in Gloucester Two. Gareth Pond also crossed the whitewash. In Gloucester Three, St Brendan's maintained their 100 per cent record with a 32-0 victory at Minchinhampton.

Ben Chilvers collected a full house of a try, three conversions, a penalty and a drop goal. Robbie McGee, James Fry and Kris Tavender also scored.

Chew Valley rediscovered last year's form to beat Chard 39-0 in Somerset Premier. Jack Evans and Jonathan Branch were among the try scorers.

In Somerset One, St Bernadette's extended their 100 per cent record to 14 matches after beating an improved Imperial 17-6.

Imperial were 6-0 ahead in the first half but Saints were awarded a penalty try while Oliver James and Tom Tiley also touched down.

Bristol have missed out on a place in the last 16 of the National Colts Cup after losing 14-13 at Ivybridge.

Paddy Foley hit two penalties and converted a penalty try for Bristol. Lewis Jones had a try disallowed following a catch and drive.

Bristol Saracens lost 17-3 at Thornbury in the Bristol Colts League. Johnny Lennox kicked a penalty.

If you have a local rugby story for the Evening Post, contact Matt Cain on 0117 9343283 or email him at m.cain@bepp.co.uk.