CHAMPIONS MARCH ON AS ALL GOLDS HUMBLED

HAMMERSMITH HILLS HOISTS 64 – 04 BRISTOL ALL GOLDS

Christopher Wilson at Chiswick RFC 

SUMMARY

The Bristol All Golds’ season finished in a heavy defeat by reigning champions Hammersmith Hills Hoists who have yet to lose this season.

The defeat was similar in scale to the 64-8 home defeat by Wests Warriors in May, but the performance was far better than it was on that day. Though the Hoists scored 11 tries, the All Golds never gave up despite the mounting score and could have had a score or two themselves in the final minutes, but their composure and consequently their execution let them down. 

Leon Atherton registered an early response to the Hoists’ early score from Charles Beatty but thereafter, the home side scored regularly. Prop Harrison Wecker collected four tries and a goal while Beatty completed a hat-trick. There were also tries from Odin Keenan, Joel Strasser, Tevita Ruhen and Tom West. Luke Morrissey kicked nine goals. 

FULL REPORT

The Bristol All Golds’ season finished in a heavy defeat by reigning champions Hammersmith Hills Hoists who have yet to lose this season and will contest next weekend’s Grand Final with Wests Warriors.

The defeat was similar in scale to the All Golds’ 64-8 home defeat by the Warriors in May, but the performance was far better than it was on that day. Though the Hoists scored 11 tries, the All Golds never gave up despite the mounting score and could have had a score or two themselves in the final minutes, but their composure and consequently their execution let them down.

The All Golds battled hard with full-back Oli Winterbottom outstanding at the back. Leon Atherton scored the Bristolians’ only try and contributed to the moment that typified the side’s spirit despite the mounting scoreline as, along with Sol Platt, he tracked back to turn Odin Keenan on his back over the line and prevent a try – this with nine minutes remaining and the score at 58-4.

Hammersmith had paid the All Golds the compliment of fielding a full strength side following the Bristol side’s win over the Chargers a fortnight ago and took no chances given the sometimes capricious nature of knockout rugby league.

The game began positively for the All Golds with a good opening set finishing in good field position, but the Hoists’ counter was swift and incisive.

Tom Condon broke through the All Golds’ left edge and gave Charles Beatty the first of his hat-trick of tries.

The All Golds’ response was immediate. Callum Merrett’s cross kick was well caught by Leon Atherton who did well to keep his balance and cut inside to score. Winterbottom pushed the conversion across the face of the posts.

The game was being played at a high tempo with the Hoists ensuring quick ball from the ruck when in possession and controlling their opponents when defending. They used that dominance to keep the scoreboard ticking over as prop Harrison Wecker crossed twice from close range in seven minutes and, with three goals from Luke Morrissey, the Hoists led 18-4.

This was soon extended to 28-4 as the Hoists enjoyed eight consecutive sets with the All Golds struggling to keep the tide at bay. After Wecker’s double, Keenan went over from Joel Strasser’s scintillating break and Strasser then finished Beatty’s good lead-up play.

The All Golds tried to respond but Brandon Ball’s break was a rare opportunity that soon vanished as his inside pass went to ground. Then, with the last play of the half, Tevita Ruhen finished another sharp break down the All Golds’ left. Morrissey goaled for a 34-4 lead as the teams went to their huddles.

There was no immediate respite for the All Golds after the half-time team-talks as Wecker completed his hat-trick barely a minute after the restart.

Platt broke up the next attack with a timely interception but at the expense of a goal-line drop-out. The Hoists set up a strong position and Tom West went over for another four-pointer.

Five minutes later, sharp, accurate handling brought up the half century and Beatty his second try, but the next quarter of an hour saw the All Golds enjoy their best passage of play as they kept the Hoists out and managed to apply some pressure themselves. However, it came to nothing on the scoreboard.

With 16 minutes remaining, the scoring resumed following one of many six-agains the All Golds conceded as they tried to halt the green and gold tide. Beatty completed his hat-trick as a beautifully timed short pass sent the centre over.

As the game headed into its last few minutes, Atherton and Platt saved a try, Mike Harrison was shown a yellow card for dissent and Wecker collected his fourth try of the day, adding the goal for good measure. Finally, the Hoists butchered the opportunity of another score as the ball was dropped just as the referee was ready to blow the final whistle.

So, the Hoists go on to a match up with great rivals Wests Warriors in the Grand Final next weekend and the All Golds have around seven months to plot their continued improvement both on and off the field.

In 2023, the All Golds lost eight of their 14 league games. This season they have lost just four from 12. That, together with the two draws, shows they have been difficult to beat. Now they need to begin challenging the Hoists and Wests more consistently, while still being strong and avoiding slip-ups against the other sides in the League. 

Roll on 2025!

 MatchStats

Teams

HOISTS: Joel Strasser; Tevita Ruhen, Charles Beatty, Odin Keenan, Thomas West; Jack Ryan, Jackson Moule; Harrison Wecker, Thomas Condon, Jack Wilson; Rhys Dixon, Declan Orr; Luke Morrissey; INTERCHANGE: James Russell, Conor MacDonald, Jake McLoughlin, Jai Prevett.

Scorers:

Tries: Beatty (1, 50, 64), Wecker (15, 22, 41, 73), Keenan (26), Strasser (29), Ruhen (39), West (45)

Goals: Morrissey 9 from 10, Wecker 1 from 1.

ALL GOLDS: Oli Winterbottom; Leon Atherton, Brandon Lamb, Mason Ball, Dom Williams; Greg Hamilton, Callum Merrett; Tega Rume-Tabiowo, Adam Turner, Brandon Ball; Harry Mills, Mike Harrison; Jack Uren; INTERCHANGE: Sol Platt, Morgan Lewis, Joe Daly, Harrison Clifford.

Scorers:

Tries: Atherton (7)

Goals: Winterbottom 0 from 1. 

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 6-4, 12-4, 18-4, 22-4, 28-4, 34-4, (HT), 40-4, 46-4, 52-4, 58-4, 64-4, (FT)

Referee: Peter Parker (RFL)

Penalties: Hoists 8-5 All Golds

Sin Bin: Mike Harrison (All Golds) – Dissent (73)

All Golds Player of the Match: Oli Winterbottom was outstanding at the back showing safe hands and putting in some fine cover tackles. His strong running from defence always put his side on the front foot and his second award of the season caps a very impressive campaign for the young University of Gloucestershire student.