Gordano pay the penalty

GORDANO Sharks were grateful to have a confirmed fixture after snow and waterlogged pitches have frustrated training and games since Christmas.

Tor has always proved a difficult place to go for the Sharks and despite beating them comfortably in the home encounter at the start of the season, Gordano knew that that was going to be a tough match to win.

With the game played in ankle deep mud, it was difficult to get Gordano’s back line going, despite a steady supply of good ball.

Locks Marcus Stratton and Andre Bailey worked tirelessly throughout the 80 minutes. Their effort and work rate continues to be the benchmark for others to reach.

Gordano enjoyed all the early possession and looked destined to score on several occasions, but for the ball to be spilled at the last moment.

Gordano were unfortunate not to have a regular kicker available to them as this proved the decisive factor in what was a remarkably low-scoring match. Gordano missed three relatively easy penalties as the home side continually got penalised at the breakdown. These misses were going to prove costly at the end.

Scoreless at half-time, Gordano were confident that they were the stronger side and would manage the win. Losing fly-half Aaron French to injury was a bad blow, but Gordano still looked the stronger outfit.

At 70 minutes it looked like neither team were going to score, but a Gordano player was penalised at a tackle and Tor managed to convert the penalty for the only points of the game.

The low score was a reflection on how difficult the playing conditions were, but Gordano felt they deserved much more than a losing bonus point.

On Saturday, Gordano entertain Stothert and Pitt at Caswell Lane.