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Imperial 5 V 24 Gordano 20th Feb 2010

Gordano Grab League Glory

Gordano took a massive step towards winning the Somerset 1 league title when they beat Imperial on Saturday. This game was billed as the game for the title and sadly for Imps Gordano came out on top.

It was a perfect day for playing rugby and Gordano came out the most determined with a point to prove after Imperial had beaten them at their ground earlier in the season. With both teams only having dropped 2 points in the league this game was vital for both clubs in their ambition for glory. Gordano quickly took charge of the game and did not want an up front battle so through the ball wide. They soon found themselves 3 - 0 up after a penalty kick.

Imperial did not start the game and due to this found themselves under there posts after Gordano had scored a try and 10 minutes into the game Imperial were 8 - 0 down. Then followed a 15 minutes break when a spectator and mother of one of the Gordano players collapsed. The game resumed after the doctor attended to the spectator and the ambulance was called and lets hope that the Gordano fan has a speedy recovery.

The break actually helped Imperial and for the first time they started to close Gordano’s space down and attack the game themselves. Number 6 Madness attacked up the middle of the park and a quickly recycled ball from Hickery saw the ball pass quickly down the line through the hands of Warren Francombe and Andy McCormack to winger Nick Towe who cut inside to form a ruck 10 meters out. This was defended poorly by Gordano and centre Ben Payne went over for his 11 try of the season.

However Imperial could not push on and 2 difficult penalty kicks were missed. Gordano fired back with another try but this wasn’t made easy as some excellent tackling went in from winger Rob Taylor and fly half Warren Francombe.

Half time came and Gordano had put their mark on the game going into the break 19 - 5. The second half was a much more subdued game with neither side really taking control. Gordano did get another try to make the final score 24 -5 but Imperial did make some good inroads into the opposition half and were only prevented from scoring due to silly penalties of unforced errors.

On the day the side who wanted it more was going to win this game and Gordano did just that and credit to them as they were able to put their full first XV team out for the first time this season. Imperial have to quickly heal the scares of defeat both physically and mentally as there is another massive game on Saturday at home in the Quarter Final of the national cup.


Captain’s Comments

For some reason we did not turn up for this game. The winning team was always going to be the one who had the better first ¼ and got under the skin of the opposition by putting doubt in their heads. Unfortunately that was Gordano and we paid the price. Saturday is another game and we have to show our character as another defeat will do our confidence no good. Saturday will be hard again but is winnable, however it is down to you as a player and how much we want it as a team!!!!!

Man of the Match (as given by the 1st Manager) -
Arse of the Match -
1st team Debut’s  - Warren Francombe
Captains Call - Forward - Paul Musgrave back from injury had an immediate impact when he came on.
Captain’s Call - Back - Rob Taylor put in some excellent tackles.