Gosford strengthen into 2nd half to record first 23/24 win

In 30C heat, both teams had plenty of water to call on and there were water breaks midway through the halves to aid keeping the players hydrated. Gosford used the interchange system to good effect keeping legs (relatively) fresh.

Again, some new faces were in the GAB squad – Nathan Hamilton in the row making his first appearance in a GAB shirt, Kay McLauchlan on the wing his first team debut and Alfie Morton his first start in the 9 shirt. Alex Jackowski and Nick Hall also poised to make debuts from the bench.

Gosford came out of the traps with intensity to right the wrongs of last week’s loss to early league pace-setters High Wycombe. A kick down field, not cleanly taken in the Chesham back field, and under intense pressure from the chasing Danny Rae, GAB force the turnover penalty. A few phases later and Rhys Andrews found himself with the space to stroll over. Alfie Morton added the extras. (0-7)

GAB continued to exert pressure on the Stags defences, but knock-ons and careless penalties kept disrupting their endeavours. Handling was poor for both teams, however, following back to back GAB pens giving up territory, a strong line-out drive and a touchline conversion put Stags back level (7-7)

GAB’s intensity was dropping through the half whereas Chesham’s was growing, and they ended the half with another line-out drive, although this time the conversion was missed. (12-7)

A rousing team talk at half time from coach Barns, and some changes – Jackowski, Hall (for their debuts), Donnelly and Bates all coming on – put the energy back into the side. Despite some good rugby from Chesham, their few forays into GAB’s 22 in the 2nd half resulted in no more points. The back row (and the skipper & back rower playing in the centres) all coming up with good turnovers when Chesham looked threatening. Alex Jackowski being particularly prominent on his way to a Tap Social Man of the Match award on debut.

As GAB built back into the half, they started to play the better rugby, but were unable to break through for a score. A difficult penalty was put just wide by Alfie Morton (having a good game at the base on his first start), but GAB were starting to get their tails up.

GAB finally got the lead back 15 min into the 2nd half, after 2 strong carries by Dan Hughes got him just short, the ball was punched forward out of Alfie Morton’s hands as he went over the line by a Chesham player, leaving the ref no choice but to award a yellow card and a penalty try. (12-14)

Some good invention from #10 Manu Loubet nearly saw a score for James Groves, when Loubet kicked a penalty into acres of space behind the now 13-man Chesham defence (another yellow was given for high shot on Kay McLauchlan) whose concentration was elsewhere, but the bounce just wouldn’t work for Groves after outpacing the defence.

GAB pushed further ahead in the final quarter when Alfie Morton knocked over a penalty to bring his tally to 5pts (12-17). One final attack from Chesham was turned over on the GAB 22, and the game was won – first points for the season and the Barns Fun Bus is up and running.

Tap Social Player of the Match: Alex Jackowski

Scorers:
Rhys Andrews – 1T
Penalty Try

Alfie Morton – 1C 1P