Sharks Win Ends Five Year Jinx

Despite a grim history of losses against local rivals Nailsea Backwell, Sharks arrived in good spirits and grew in confidence as the match unfolded into one of the best all round performances they have ever put together.

Playing uphill with a stiff side breeze, Gordano weathered a succession of opening attacks before surprising the home side with a strong counterattack off the back of a scrum when the ball was fed out to winger Jamie Whitfield whose powerful 50m run opened the scoring. Ten minutes later and Ravens replied with a well worked close range move across the Backs. The remainder of the half was a bruising, brutal contest with the advantage constantly changing but the visitors always had the slope in their favour. Gordano defended superbly with numerous try saving tackles going in notably Josh Connock on the line and an immense effort from Ben Anstead whose 25m run to take out the Ravens' breakaway Centre saved a certain try. On the stroke of half time Sharks relaxed their guard and the home side took the lead with a final assault through the middle.

The second half opened at pace and Fly-half Alex Walder was unlucky to be tackled on the line. The resulting 5m scrum led to a fabulous move between Toby Baxter and Will Magramalis whose reverse pass enabled the scrum half to even the scoreline. Another twenty minutes of enthralling rugby followed and Gordano gave as good as they got. The Forwards had a particularly tough time against a more powerful Pack but as the game progressed they began to even the balance and with the benefit of the slope, the Backs were able to move much more freely. In the space of three minutes, Sharks scored twice. With Jamie Whitfield held on the line, Prop Dan Swaby fed the ball to Flanker Josh Connock to drive over and from the kickoff, Will, Toby and second row Sam Edwards worked together for the second. This was a special moment for Sam, being his first try for the club. Ten nailbiting minutes remained and Ravens scored again with a long breakaway run but it was too little, too late and Sharks celebrated a long awaited win.

Special mention should be made of the young referee Joe Crawford who handled the match superbly.

Never has the value of quality replacements on the touchline been better exemplified because with numerous injuries throughout this game, every substitution slotted seamlessly into the team. Each and every player gave 100%, communication was impressive, discipline held firm and with growing self belief this squad has taken a big step forward.

HT 12-7

FT: 17-26

Scorers

Ravens Tries: Dom Gordon, Charlie Brabham, Harvey Flower Conv: Jamie Elswood

Sharks Tries: Jamie Whitfield, Toby Baxter, Josh Connock, Sam Edwards

Conv: Alex Walder (3)