Piranhas -v- Westbury 19/10/14

The Piranhas welcomed Westbury Ladies to Caswell Lane for this league match expecting a tough physical contest similar to the previous seasons game at Westbury but feeling confident following a string of improved performances.

In the opening exchanges Gordano showed their ambition to run the ball and enjoyed consistent possession helped by hitting the breakdown quickly and aggressively, but the Westbury forwards and midfield defended well to restrict Gordano's chances. When the ball was moved wide through the new midfield combination of Clare MacLaren and Emma Button, Gordano made ground and after forward and backs combined well fly half Ali Powell went in for the first try of the game after twenty minutes. With the defence managing Westburys driving game well Gordano won possession in the middle of the field and the backs made ground so that openside Katie Abbott could pick and go to link with supporting winger Gill Gillings and full back Clara Paine who put skipper and scrum half Leanne Ball in for the second try to make it 10 - 0 just before half time. Turning around with the wind at their backs Gordano kept the ball in hand and put Westbury under enormous pressure and with quick recycled ball by the forwards from a Katherine Fitzpatrick drive 15 m in from the right the ball was moved along the entire back line to put Gill Gillings in for a try in the left hand corner. Strong defence by the forwards with blindside flanker Lucia Gaetani at the fore turned over ball and the ball was moved left to No. 8 Tracey Rollings who broke through tackles to go over for a try and make it 20 - 0 with 15 minutes to go. Westbury never stopped working and despite injuries worked their way up the field helped by some indiscipline by Gordano giving away penalties, and after some stern Gordano defence on the line they went over with a driving maul to make it 20 - 5 with 5 minutes to go. Not wanting to end the game like that the Piranhas came back strongly and pressure following up the kick off led to Katie Abbott beating a couple of defenders to score and end the game 25 - 5 for Gordano's well deserved first win of the season. Training continues at Caswell Lane on Tuesday nights and players of all experience very welcome.