Gosford take the spoils in close contest at the Brake vs Chipping Norton

Gosford had many changes this week with lots of players missing in particularly in the pack, but took the field confident that they could bag a home win for just the second time this season, writes Liam Donnelly.

It was Gosford who got the first score of the game just 3 minutes into the match. A missed touch finder from a Chipping Norton penalty landed in the hands of Harry Sutton. Under pressure he quickly off loaded to Sam Malton who from his own half sprinted down the wing to score in the corner, George Pamenter was accurate with the conversion to make it 7 – 0

5 mins later, Chipping Norton showed how dangerous they could be with a fantastic break from their own 22. Deep into the Gosford half they kicked through the ball that went over the Gosford try line, only some great cover work from Sam Malton saved a certain try.

It was Chippy who got on the scored the next, they converted pressure in to points with a penalty on 16 mins. 7 – 3

Gosford scored a pen of their own on 25 mins, George Pamenter again off the tee. 10 – 3 Sadly George had to leave the field not long after with a serious injury, and the club wishes him well in his recovery.

5 minutes before half time Chipping Norton winger made a break through the middle of the Gosford defence only to be tackled by Sam Malton 5m out, however the tackle was deemed to be high by the referee and as the last defensive player a penalty try was awarded and Sam received a yellow card. 10 – 10

Gosford kept the pressure on chippy up until half time and a penalty was awarded just before the break which was slotted by Emmanuel Loubet. Half time 13 – 10

Chipping Norton started the 2nd half the strongest and really came at Gosford, they scored a try just a few minutes in with some good running rugby. 13 – 17.

Chippy stayed dominant for the next 10 and again scored another converted try with some great play. 13 – 24

It was now down to Gosford to dig deep and find something to turn this game around, the momentum managed to shift, and Gosford got on top of Chipping Norton largely to the great kicking display from Harry Sutton. Gosford got a penalty inside the Chipping Norton 22 and quick thinking from Harry, seeing Jake Townsend on the wing, saw him send a perfect the cross-field kick. Unfortunately Jake got man and ball and the referee couldn’t determine if the ball was put down or if Jake was tackled in the air.

Ref gave Gosford a 5m and from that Harry hit Sam Malton on a slick line in which he went through the Chippy defence to score his second try, Emmanuel Loubet again converted 20 – 24.

There was still one more score to find, and it came once again from Sam Malton. Quickly after the kick off the Gosford defence was holding strong. Sam managed to read a wide pass out the back and intercepted from near the halfway line to run in under the posts. Emmanuel Loubet again converted. 27 – 24

Gosford spent the next 12 minutes under huge amounts of pressure, but a strong defence and Harry’s boot kept Chipping Norton out. Chipping Norton had one final attack at the end of the game but penalty won by Jake Townsend at the ruck allowed Harry Sutton to kick the ball out and the ref to blow the final whistle.

An absolute classic at the Brake, fair play to Chipping Norton who are a very dangerous side. But credit to all the players in black who showed great grit and determination to grind out a win. A number of players ended up out of position as well

Tap Social MOTM – Sam Malton

Scorers:
S Malton 3T

G Pamenter 1C 1P
E Loubet 2C 1P