Warriors v Chard Match Report

George is back, and he certainly made a statement in this game and last weeks against Old Bristolians.  George Gosling after a long time recovering from injury showed his fitness, class and immense tenacity in this game playing at hooker for the full 80 minutes.  What really made the game was his ability to throw the ball into the lineout at the correct height and pace for another rising star to win all of the lineout on his own throw in.  Dylan Nation in his first season in senior rugby from the colts was winning the line outs and not only taking the ball at the top of his jump but distributing the ball accurately to the scrum half from the top. He was left basically as the only jumper as his fellow second row Harvey Hannay was a tight head prop whose scrummaging is very good but lineouts a different skill set; however, he played his part in the way he lifted Dylan.  Whilst with the score line we came second this group of talented players showed the importance of the Warriors side.  Four of the previous weeks team were drafted into the Titans to cover injury and availability issues and demonstrates some of the difficulties of a clubs second fifteen playing against other clubs more settled first fifteens so immense credit must go the whole of the Warriors squad and their coaches.

The try machine was also inaction with Ben Heath scoring the first and the second tries by his shear brilliance in seeing the opportunity but he cannot take all of the credit and his fellow centre Henry Webb frequently made the pass or made the dummy run to open up Chard.  Chard scored two tries within the first fifteen minutes to open up a ten-point lead and seemed to be dominating the scrums.  They became less dominant as the game went on as young 19 years old George Francis recognised how they were not always pushing but sometimes pulling to turn the scrum and win the penalty.  He changed his approach and as the game went on so his power was displayed.  Having ten points on the board and not making much headway Chard then kicked the penalty to gain an extra three points.  The Warriors had been threatening and Ben Heath went in for the first of his tries.  From the restart Chard gave away a penalty which the Warriors tried to kick for touch it was prevented by Chard in their own 22metre area.  The ball was passed to their fullback who then ran straight through the Warriors defence to score the try.  Come back Ben Heath who took a pass from Henry Webb and he outsprinted the Chard defence for his second try.  The Warriors then came close when Broadie Sheach burst through but was stopped inches short of the line.  Chard broke out again and scored their fourth and bonus point try.  With just two minutes of the half-left Chard kicked another penalty to leave the half time score at Warriors 12 Chard 26.

Four -minutes into the second half and Chard have scored again to extend their lead.  Back came the Warriors and unfortunately the pass was nocked on and the try opportunity missed.  They did however  turn over the Chard ball and get the try.  Another tremendous break by Ben Heath who was caught just short of the line and Chard turned the ball over for them to race the length of the pitch to score at the other end and bring up their 40 points.  Ten minutes of the game left and the fitness of the Warriors was beginning to show.  The Chard player were being stretched and frequently their physio was on the pitch to treat alleged injuries or cramp amongst their players.  Another tremendous break by Ben Heath who this time got the ball away to Dan Tremlett to score the try which was converted.  Five-minutes left and the Warriors score their fifth try but with just two minutes left Chard hack through and win the footrace for the score.

An entertaining game which on this occasion went in favour of Chard but could so easily have been won by this very young and talented squad of Warriors. The Warriors now have a two-week break but will be back on November 8^thwhen they entertain Clifton at the Summerfield Stadium.

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