Gosford dig deep to grind out win at Abingdon RFC

Gosford travelled to Abingdon, writes Liam Donnelly, with lots of confidence and a full squad of 20. Including a returning George Pamenter, and 2 club debuts with Patrick Mackenzie and Nathan McCarthy all on the bench.

From kick off it was clear this was going to be a brutal physical match for the lads in black with a very strong Abingdon defence that was going to be tough to break down.

After 15 mins it was Abingdon who opened the scoring with some good works from their backs leading to a break and a kick through was chased and dotted down, conversion hit. 7-0

A wake-up call to GAB, but Abingdon were fired up and their defence was strong. However, a penalty at the breakdown followed by a good kick to the corner meant GAB had a chance. A chance they took brilliantly. A nice set piece move off the resulting line out saw a great throw from Myles Selvey hit his target and the ball brought down for a driving maul. Quick thinking from Tom Bates broke from the maul and a very slick pass to the supporting Rhys Andrews for him to dive over the line, con missed.

It was very back and forth from then on, with GAB having the lion share of possession. However, Abingdon were next on the scoreboard with GAB giving away a penalty from a kickable distance in which Abingdon took with ease on 32 mins. 10-5

Gosford fired back with force though. From the kick off Gosford’s defence was firing, and a big counter ruck freed the ball up for Scrum Half Tim Price to snipe blind, number 8 Dan Bullimore in support started a chain of neat passes to Rhys Andrews, Sam Durley, George Pamenter (by now on for the injured Jake Townsend) to Alfie Morton who gave a beautiful out the back pass to Gerardo Pradillo Macias who finished off the sequence and scored. Alfie Morton slotted the conversion. 10-12

Gosford weren't done for the half though that man Rhys Andrews was on fire. In open play Rhys received a pass in the middle of the park about 40m out from where he beats 2 defenders and rockets in all the way to the try line. Con missed 10-17. Half Time.

GAB introduced newbies Patrick Mackenzie (for James Allen) and Nathan McCarthy (for Alfie Morton) at half time to make their debuts. quickly followed by Alex Jackowski on for Sam Durley.

Abingdon was the first scorers of the second half and on 45 mins a driving of a line out 10m out allowed Abingdon to drive over. Con kicked 17-17.

5 mins later Gosford pressure in the Abingdon half earned a penalty, Tim Price kicked the ball through the posts to edge GAB ahead. 17-20

The next 20 mins was all about guts and determination. Abingdon threw the kitchen sink at the Gosford defence who gave everything. Attack after attack thwarted by the strong defence. At times GAB were camped on their line or just 5m out. GAB had some brilliant defensive moments though, most notably a huge turnover by Tom Bates which eased the pressure on 70 mins.

Gosford had 10 mins to earn the bonus point. Introduction of Stuie Fouracre for the hard-working Storm Alparaque helped bring the energy up. But Gosford were unable to get into a good scoring position until the last play. Unfortunately, a knock on by Gosford ended the game and meant GAB must settle for 4 points.

Fair play to Abingdon who kept testing GAB. But well done to all those lads involved. 3 wins in a row gives us great momentum heading into this weekend’s home game versus Banbury 2s.

Tap Social Man of the Match - Tom Bates

Scorers
Rhys Andrews: 2T
Gerardo Pradillo Macias

A Morton: 1C
T Price: 1P