Gordano 33- Nailsea 10

Gordano Nailsea games are always highly anticipated and this was no exception with both teams having starting the season strongly. From the kick off Gordano made some good ground and were able to pressure the visitors into a mistake after 5 minutes resulting in a 5m attacking scrum – The Sharks pack have been in dominant form lately and that continued as they drove the Nailsea 8 back over the line for number 8 Tim Statton to drop over for the score, Joe Rowsell adding the conversion.

Nailsea responded well and over the next 20 minutes put some good possession together countering Gordano’s physical advantage by putting the ball through the hands and asking questions in the wider channels. 12minutes in the scores were levelled after a missed tackle in midfield created the overlap for the Nailsea winger to glide in wide out. Nailsea backed this up a few minutes later when continued pressure gave them a penalty shot at goal which Rob Baker comfortably converted to give the visitors a 7-10 lead. Gordano did well to keep the deficit to 3 points for the next 10 minutes as Nailsea continued to play quickly and stretch the Gordano defence with some strong running lines and carries. With 10 minutes left in the first half Gordano started to play the game in the right areas and pinned back the Nailsea team. Some good improvisation in the midfield created space out wide almost resulting in a try before the ball was agonisingly knocked on 5m short. Gordano however managed to disrupt the scrum and forced the reset to the home sides advantage where they again got the shove on for scrum half Kaine Southey to score just before half time.

In the second half Gordano continued to carry well through the forwards with Tom Arnall and Lee Worgan in particular standing out. It was Lee Worgan himself who scored the next try following a good offload from his brother Chris, Rowell again adding the conversion. After the physicality of the first half and a series of injuries Nailsea started to tire at the same time that Gordano started to play with more width showcasing some of their skills and pace in the wide channels. The next try was scored on 70 minutes when winger Elliot Hanscombe touched down for his first of the season after quick feet put took him away from a couple of defenders. A final glossing was put on the result with the third push over try of the game emphasising the Gordano packs dominance and sealing a 33-10 victory.

Gordano hope to continue their unbeaten run next week as they face second placed Weston II who are also yet to be beaten this season.