Gordano 17 Taunton Warriors 7

I think the game was best summed up by the Gordano coaches at the end when they said that their players had to play at the extremes to cope with a vary talented set of backs and a hard pack and that they managed the weather slightly better which gave them, the advantage.

The Warriors playing with the wind behind them kicked off to start the game and from the beginning showed their intent which some good drives from the forwards and the ball being kept alive with some good runs from the backs. These were stopped by a well organised Gordano defence however in coming up quick Jack Burnett was able to read the situation and burst through to score the opening try on thirteen minutes. Just four-minutes later the Warriors have a lineout 5 metres from the Gordano line, the wind catches the ball the Warriors nock on and a Gordano  scrum to relieve the pressure.  They go blind from the scrum and are able to set their winger free, with just the Ethan Fitzgerald to beat he eyes his man up and makes an outstanding tackle.  The Warriors get a penalty and again attack and after several drives cross the line for the referee to decide they were held up. In the dying seconds of the half the Warriors concede a penalty just five metres from their own line and Gordano opt for the scrum.  The win the scrum and the Warriors prop is deemed to have gone down for which he receives a yellow card and Gordano are awarded a penalty try.  This allows the half to finish level.

The second half starts with Gordano having the wind advantage and the Warriors having to change their game pattern.  There was some really good ball carrying by Jack Burnett and Benn Dodd getting us from deep in our own half and when the ball got to the centres both Ben Heath and Henry Webb always crossed the gain line.  Our wings were having to cover back as Gordano exploited the wind. On fifty-four-minutes a long kick from Gordano from within their own half left our wing covering back exposed to a three on one situation and they turned over the ball for the try.  The Warriors came back hard and a sniping run by Ollie guest took him clear but the cover was too strong and the follow up not getting to him allowed Gordano to clear then lines.  Ten minutes later a scrum just short of the Warriors line to Gordano and the outside half gave a little kick to the blind side which the winger caught and went in for the try.  The Warriors still stormed forward and only some outstanding defence by Gordano kept them out.

This week the Warriors are at home against Old Bristolians with a 1pm kick off.  I know some of you do not have lunch before the game so why not come down early and watch a very talented Warriors teamplay and get two matches for the price of one.

‍