Devizes v Gordano

Gordano Piranhas visited Devizes hoping for an improved performance from their 49-10 loss at home earlier in the season.

Despite the cold conditions both teams passed the ball well making use of the space allowed by the 12 a side formation. Both slides looked closely matched but Devizes used the strong wind to kick down field and from sustained pressure in the Piranhas 22 they scored on the left from a rolling maul which was well converted to take them 7-0 up after seven minutes. Gordano felt hard done by as they felt they were under the ball but the indiscipline in their reaction to the referee was the last shown in the game. After fifteen minutes Gordano tried to run out from under their own posts but unsymapthetic passing meant the ball went to floor and Devizes reacted quickly to secure the ball and move it to the left they scored their second try which went unconverted. Piranhas then put multiple phases together building pressure and from a scrum on the Devizes 22 scrum half Ali Powell went on a solo run and took two defenders over the line on the left to score Gordanos first try to make it 12-5 after 25 minutes. Gordano still playing with ambition took the ball in to conact on the half way line and Devizes managed to create a maul and steal the ball passed it quickly to their left winger in space who ran in to score 15 m in to make it 17-5. Further pressure from Gordano with No. 8 Lucia Gaetani, and centres Tracey Rolling and 18 year old debutant Ellie Chandler to the fore, resulted in the ball being moved from right to left where Ellie popped up again thanks to great realignment to go in for a try to make it 17-10 just before half time.

Turning around with the wind at their backs Gordano's hopes of getting a result were high when after ten minutes Captain Marie Craig scored from a drive close to the line converted well by fly Half Caroline Goddard to make it 17 all. Unfortunately during the drive tight head prop Kathrine Fitzpatrick fell awkwardly and an ambulance was called to assess a serious knee injury. Thanks must go to the Devizes physio and supporters who looked after Kath while she waited for the ambulance. In the heavy conditions Gordano started to tire and Devizes broke out of their own 22 to score a converted try to make it 24-17. Gordano didnt give up but constant pressure and good recycling by Devizes meant the defensive alignment came under pressure and the Devizes scrum half spotted a gap around the side of a ruck to pick and go in on her own from near the half way line to make it 31-17. It was similar story for the next try with Devizes operating to Gordano's game plan by winning quick ball at the break down and moving it wide to score again under the posts to go 38-17. After 25 minutes Susan Beaton, Tash Bradley and Marie all supporting each other made ground followed by a penetrative run by Ellie led to Ali passing the ball and looping around get on the end of the line and to score on the right. to close the gap to 38-22. Devizes got the last try with the final play of the game to bring the final score to 45-22. Everyone contributed to an improved performance; Sam Robinson took all of her lineout ball helped by excellent throwing from Tash Bradley and Julie Hill sharing the hooking duties, Full back Gill Gillings and winger Hannah Brasher both covered the big pitch well and made some strong attacking runs, Caroline Goddard move the ball well from fly half and brought the backs into play.

More work to do on discipline and alignment in defence but very good signs in attack with new combinations working well together and a vastly improved performance from the earlier game against Devizes. Player of the match was Ellie Chandler making a real mark in her first senior game.