Gordano win on the road.

Chipping Sodbury 14 Gordano 20

Gordano found themselves on the road at Chipping Sodbury for the second game in a row after shaking the mumps which postponed their game with Spartans again.

After the long drive, the message was key from skipper Matthew Stedman that the game was there to be won and to front up to the normally large Chipping Sodbury side. Without usual charges Royce Chiddle and Dan Shortland, Gordano went for a lighter more mobile pack selecting Tom Arnall and Pete Atherton in the back row. This gave Gordano a great start into the game with the kickoff not making 10 metres but the ever alert Kaine Southey caught the ball and scampered up the field linking with the fleet footed Atherton. Several phases and exchanges later saw Gordano’s Connor King take an easy 3 points to get the scoreboard ticking.

Gordano then found the pitch opening up again; a gap wide enough for Mike Dyer appeared and he broke through setting up a ruck in a prominent position 5 metres away from the Sodbury line. Unfortunately the ball was turned over and when Sodbury’s 10 went to clear it looked like an opportunity missed for Gordano. However, Stuart Harris managed to charge the ball down and dive on it to give Gordano their first try of the game, King missing the conversion from wide out.

Gordano then produced arguably their try of the season, Southey breaking through on around halfway saw him draw 2 defenders and throw an out the back pass to inside centre Joe Rowsell who charged towards the line. He was hauled down but produced a no look offload to Atherton to carry on the charge. The ball eventually popping up for Mike Dyer to flop over the line. King added the extras to give Gordano a 15 points to nil lead at half time.

Gordano knew the first score after the break was key, and didn’t disappoint, letting Chipping Sodbury drive their way ferociously towards the visitors line they finally went over, extras added to bring them back into the game at 7-15.

Gordano then rumbled their way up the field, only for a quick tap on half way, by hotly tipped combination scrumhalf Scott Magrath, saw him run to the home sides 5m line. Hauled down but the ball recycled allowed Chipping Sodbury to turn over and clear their lines. Not for long however as soon good busts from Stedman and Petch allowed Gordano to spin the ball through the hands to allow Jack Thomas to easily put the ball down in the corner. A better finish than he attempted earlier in the game where he caught the ball outside the field of play...

The conversion was missed, but after what seemed ages with some good defence the final play was finally called. Sodbury kept the ball close and finally broke through to obtain their losing bonus point.

Gordano’s Man of the Match award was a closely contested affair, great performances from Southey, Arnall, Richards and Rowsell all went close. But with a sterling performance in defence, chopping anything in sight was Pete Atherton.

Gordano entertain local side Clevedon, who enjoyed recent success at home to the league’s whipping boys, Coney Hill. League form means little in this encounter as who knows which Clevedon side Gordano will encounter.

Kickoff is 2.30 at Caswell Lane.