Gordano into South West Counties Final

Gordano have booked themselves in to the south west counties final after beating Barton Hill in the national cup at caswell lane on Saturday. The game started badly for gordano as barts were awarded a penalty try and a yellow card against dwaine southley in the first 5 minutes of the game. Gordano didn't get phased by this poor start and played some of their best rugby of the season in the next 35 minutes. Gordano were moving the ball well across the field and where making ground with every attack, there first try came from a long pass to second row ollie crichley who finished off well in the corner. Gordano back up to a full side were looking to take the lead and were keeping the ball well and building phases then centre joe rowsell crashed though under the post to give an easy conversion for alex walder. the half came to a close with barton hill on the attack and looking to score but an interception by dwaine southley didn't just stop barton hill from scoring but gave gordano the perfect finish to the half and the ball was moved quickly to noah homes-mcadam would then but sam hodge in to score under the post. ht 19-7.

the second half was a tense affair with the weather conditions getting worse and barton hill were using there there well drilled pack to make in roads in the the gordano half with 20 minutes left barton hill drove there way over from a line out to close the gap to 7 points. gordano were defending for most of the half and were unable to keep the ball when they did get it, barton were continuing to pick and go as the pitch cutting up and passing was beginning to be impossible. barton hill levelled the scores with 10 minutes to go to set up an exciting finish. gordano were finally getting some ball to play with and building some momentum which got them into the barton hill half where a pentaly gave a gordano a chance to take the lead, up step sam hodge who slotted the 42 meter penalty for a gordano lead with only 5 minutes left. gordano kept the ball well and again got into the barton hill half for another pentaly to be given again this time 43 meters out and once again sam hodge slotted over the kick for a 6 point lead with 3 minutes left. barton hill are top of Gloucester premier for a reason and weren't going to give up that easily and went looking to try to win the game, they kept up the pressure and when their winger broke down the wing they thought they would score but great covering and and he was bundled into touch just 2 meters short. to the relief of the home support the ref blow his whistle for the end of the game. final score 25-19

this was a great win for gordano who worked tirelessly to get the result they deserved. even though this was a big game the large squad featured 3 of the colts players, ben critchley, pete atherton and connor king who all made their 1st team debuts.

Gordano how go though to the final of the south west couties and will play at home against either withycombe or saltash on febuary 24th, next week it a return to the league where gordano travel to 2nd place imperial.