Gordano II vs Bristol Harlequins II

Due to the heavy rain and waterlogged pitches Gordano were forced to play down the graveyard. Although not picking up a win this year so far Gordano went into this game in a confident mood and welcomed back Andy Davies after a long spell out through injury, although he found himself in the back row and not in his custom fitted 12 shirt.

Gordano kicked the game off and started the brighter of the two sides, but could not unlock the Harlequins defence for all their efforts. The game drifted off into a bit of a stalemate with both sides contesting and playing for territory with either side not breaking through, Harlequins had now though started to gain the upper hand and disrupted numerous rucks for Gordano and turned the ball over quite a lot. But Gordano defended well. It took until the last play of the half for Harlequins to break the deadlock. Gordano gave away a penalty and Harlequins went for the lineout from the lineout Harlequins did a standard catch and drive, but was halted and seemed to not be going anywhere when the peel from the back of the maul formed another maul this caught Gordano out and their 8 managed to wrestle it down for the try.

Half-Time

Gordano II 0 – 5 Bristol Harlequins II

Gordano regrouped at half time with the emphasis on being more aggressive at the breakdown and clear the Harlequins defence out rather than go straight for the jackal at the rucks, as Harlequins had played this way and had quite a lot of success from it. Gordano got the message and started to disrupt Harlequins at the breakdown, but were unable to give the backs any clean ball to play with. Harlequins 10 kicked well and kept Gordano pinned in their own 22. The game became a forwards dominated game due to the heavy wet and muddy conditions. Harlequins opted for slow pick and goes at the rucks but did not make any real progress and their backs kicking well for territory. It took some more ill discipline from Gordano who gave Harlequins another penalty, Harlequins then punished Gordano and from the line out scored with another catch and drive which gave the away team a 10-0 lead. Gordano did not let their heads drop and from Ashley Cottrell long kick Gav Dungan almost won the race to the ball deep in Harlequins 22. The Harlequins winger managed to get down to the ball just and hold up the play with Gordano not turning over the ruck, Harlequins managed to hold on re-group and clear their lines. Gordano began to run out of steam and three or four missed tackles allowed the Harlequins skipper to score his second of the day in the last play of the game and finish the game 17-0 to Harlequins.

After a new voting system, brought in by the captain for, man of the match and gimp of the game. Ollie Critchley was voted man of the match and for suggesting this idea of nominating the man of the match. The captain Nino Toto was awarded Gimp of the game. Well done lads good strong effort against a strong Quins outfit. We need to secure the ball better to give our backs a platform to play from. Gordano II next game is away to Walcot II, who now sit just a place below us in the table. Also thanks to Keith Leaker for taking time out and preparing us for the match.