Oldfield Old Boys II vs Gordano II

After Gordano winning their last three games with good running rugby you would be fooled to think that this was going to be easy encounter for Gordano II, as Oldfield II have yet to lose a league fixture at Shaft Road this season. And with four drop outs in the Gordano line up they were left to travel to Bath with just 15 players, this was also the case for Oldfield II.

Now unfortunately after playing so well in recent weeks, Gordano started the game half asleep as the Oldfield backs exploited the space and played good quick ball with supporting runners who in the first 15 minutes, put three converted trys on the board to leave Gordano trailing 21-0. The score could have been worst if it wasn't for the smallest player on the pitch Elliot Hanscombe tackling ability to stop numerous chances Oldfield created, with the score in Oldfield's favour they spurned chances to score instead players went for glory than offloading to players in better positions to score. Gordano ran a few phases but found themselves against a solid defence who were up quick to stop any Gordano threat and did not over commit in the rucks which left Gordano not being able to find or create space out wide. Gordano did well to keep the score to 21-0 at half time.

The second half was better for Gordano as they made changes in the pack, which then put the Oldfield scrum under a lot more pressure in the second half and Gordano's only score of the game came from a penalty, which Gordano opted for the scrum and drove the Oldfield pack back for Scrum half Nick Moore to run over and finish just outside of the posts. Oldfield responded straight from kick off after an error by Gordano playing the ball when it had not gone 10 caused chaos as Gordano stopped and allowed Oldfield to run through and score despite the error, the old saying of play to the whistle went out the window as Gordano stood still and did not respond. The game then settled down with Gordano keeping Oldfield in their own 22 for large parts of the second half but could not break through Oldfields defence and Oldfields back row turned over numerous rucks to help Oldfield clear their lines. Oldfield then managed to score another try towards the end stretching the Gordano defence across the pitch and then taking advantage of space created to spread the ball the other way to score again. Despite another slow start Gordano did well to not allow Oldfield to put a bigger score on the boards, a special mention goes out to Oldfield who could have started the game with uncontested scrums due to drop outs and I believe a back row player stepped up to the plate and did well under Sean Coles guidance. Players fitness and commitment needs to be better if we are going to finish in the top half this season as Gordano came unstuck to a well organised and fitter Oldfield side. Gordano are back in league action on the 15th against Imperial II at Caswell Lane. The 1sts are in cup action at home this Saturday and a friendly has been organised for 2nds and 3rds against HMS Somerset at home kick off has been moved to 12:30pm so you can support the first team or watch England taking on New Zealand in the club.