Sharks Get the Bonus!

As predicted by Sharks coach Keith Leaker, Gordano had to soak up an early onslaught, by a Saints side keen to impress their new coach, Ex Bristol and Bath number eight Mark Gabey.

Gordano's well drilled defence were up to the task, then broke away to score the only points of a hard fought first half. Skipper Matt Rollings at the rear of a powerful fifteen metre driving maul, picked his moment to ground the ball. full back Ash Cotrell converted.

In the second period Gordano's more mobile pack stepped up a gear, doubling their first half points tally within minutes of the re-start. Following a scrum, the ball was moved through a few phases. before centre Joe Harris found a gap on his way between the sticks. Cotrell added the extra's.

It was a similar build up that allowd flanker Tim Statton to score his first try since earning his well deserved run in the first team.

The introduction of scrum half Gareth Yandell gave the home side a new dimention, with a fine display of sniping runs and pin-point box kicks.

Gordano's next score was the pick of the bunch. Another big scrum had the Saints on the back foot, quick passing, and a deft 'slapped' pass from supporting back rower Paul Richards gave Aaron French the space to step inside the last defender. Cotrell again on target from the tee.

Despite a performance that belied their lowly league position, Saints had no answer to the fitter Sharks pack, and hard running backs.

A long kick from French was collected by the Saints full back on his own try-line. The chasing Joe Harris took man and ball over the line, earning a five metre scrum. The visiting pack were propelled backwards at pace, allowing number eight Matt Wiltshire to drop on the ball. Again Cotrell made it a seven pointer. Gordano had time for one more score. Back in the visitors 22 courtesy of a fourty metre Yandell box kick,forwards and backs shifted the ball along to French, to barge his way across the whitewash. Cotrell completed a masterclass of kicking with the final two points.

French, Harris and Cotrell all had claims for the Black Horse Inn man-of-the-match award, but Captain Matt Rollings led from the front throughout to take the accolade.