Gordano U13s 27 v Chew Valley 20

Gordano V Chew Valley Sunday 7th April 2013 (Away)

For the second time this season Sharks found themselves having to lend their opponents 3 players. Credit goes to Jacob Evans, Sam Kessler and Ben Critchely in the first half, and Captain Sam Green, Joe Mason and Pete Atherton in the second – with Pete scoring one try, and Pete, Joe and Sam being the key players in setting up another for Chew.

Even with 3 players in each half missing, Sharks had a full team with 5 replacements – which is a reflection on their commitment this season

Sharks started well on a fast track, moving the ball and making inroads through the centre pairing of Tom Stirzaker and George Briggs, and a fine passage of play saw full-back Adam Chadwick reach for the line and score, despite the attention of 3 Chew defenders.

Chew soon struck back with a fine try in the left hand corner – but find defending prevented them scoring again in the opposite corner. From a 5 metre try Sharks decided to run the ball, and centre George Briggs took the outside to outstrip the defence and score under the posts for a length of the pitch try – converted by scrum-half Huw Evans. This was soon followed by the best passage of play from the Sharks, which saw the ball move from right to left, and with great off-loading and support from Huw Evans, Hamish Bonar, Stirzaker, Briggs and Matt Wilkinson. Although the defenders managed to push Wilkinson into touch 5 metres out, Sharks stole the ball from the line-out, with further off-loading from Joe Mason, to put Jordan Shaddick over the line.

The second half saw Chew fight back with an excellent try in the right hand corner after Guest Chew Player Joe Mason carried the ball up, which was fed Pete Atherton who made a fine break. Continuity was maintained by Sam Green, with Atherton touching the ball and off-loading from the ground for Chew to score. Sharks soon responded with another fine try from broken play, with the ball being fed from No 8 Jacob Evans, now in a Sharks shirt, to Sam Kessler and then out to Wilkinson who scored in the corner.

Chew scored from a scrum when No.8 picked up from the base, and crossed the line. Sharks exerted pressure again immediately from the kick off – in an effort to clear their lines Chew kicked the ball to Ben Critchley, also now in Sharks colours, who attacked the space and fed centre Macauley Chesson. He saw that there was little cover on the right, trusted his speed and ran round the outside of the defence to score in the corner.

Chew replied immediately with their own try from a penalty 7 metes out after an indecisive kick-off receipt saw the Sharks under pressure, and playing the ball off their feet.

Stirzaker had another great run, with desperate scrambling defence preventing a further score. The final score of 27 – 20 was a fair reflection of the game, with Sharks impressing at times, but off the boil for periods of time. However it is indicative of their development that the side can score 5 tries and win a game, but be disappointed with their overall performance.

Final Score;
Sharks 27 Chew Valley 20

Tries:
Adam Chadwick
George Briggs
Jordan Shaddick
Matt Wilkinson
Macauley Chesson

Match report by Gary Townsend (Coach)