Sharks Triumph after Shaky Start

Cotham arrived with only 9 players but a full Gordano squad was able to loan 6 out on rotation 2 of whom scored the opposition tries in this rather disjointed encounter which resembled a Sharks training session with frequent substitutions and many playing out of position. Both sides took time to adjust to the heavy pitch and as the quality of play improved so Gordano extended their lead.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring when (loan player) Ed Moss intercepted a pass and ran it under the posts. Sharks responded with a series of attacks culminating in a combination move between flanker Sam Edwards and number 8 Ben Anstead who took it over. The remainder of the half was a stalemate with some good individual play notably Toby Baxter, Will Magramalis and Rhys Howells making his first appearance after a lengthy injury.

Five minutes into the second half and Sharks Forwards set up a platform from the lineout for Centre Ed Moss to drive under the posts despite a heroic effort from (loan player) Ollie Povey to hold him up. The quality of play began to improve considerably and the Sharks Backs put together a series of well co ordinated moves resulting in four tries in the final 20 minutes. A strong forward run by winger Jamie Whitfield led to the first when he passed out to full back Noah Holmes-Macadam and on to James Copeland who scored in the corner. The second was a trademark solo effort from Alex Walder who took possession on the halfway line and ran through under the posts followed shortly by a similar move from Ed Moss who took it from his own 22. Undaunted, Cotham replied with a solid driven touchdown from (loan player) James Grindle before Jamie Whitfield controlled a difficult pass to run in the final Sharks try to close the game.

Given that this was the first game after the Xmas/Xbox break, the soft pitch and team disruption the squad put together a commendable performance for both sides and managed to maintain a competitive spirit even when playing for the visitors which is never easy.

HT 7-5

FT: 38-12

Scorers

Sharks Tries: Ben Anstead, Ed Moss (2), James Copeland, Alex Walder, Jamie Whitfield

Conv: Alex Walder, Ed Moss (3)

Cotham Tries: Ed Moss, James Grindle Conv: Brandon