SKIRLAUGH TOO HOT FOR ALL GOLDS
Christopher Wilson at Eastside Sports and Social Club
SKIRLAUGH 36 – 10 BRISTOL ALL GOLDS
Bristol All Golds travelled to East Hull hoping to take full advantage of a rare opportunity to take on a storied rugby league club from the heartland of the game. However, while they showed plenty of effort and endeavour with no little skill, they were unable to do so and fell to a 36-10 defeat.
On the warmest day of the year so far, the All Golds went toe-to-toe with their more experienced adversaries in the first half and trailed only 14-6 at the interval, having taken an early lead.
The second period was a different tale as Skirlaugh defended stubbornly and took their chances to rack up four unanswered tries before the All Golds, with an almost empty bench, had the last word with a consolation score.
On a glorious early summer’s day, the Bristol All Golds travelled to Hull to make their debut in the BARLA National Cup against the Yorkshire B League leaders Skirlaugh, who had lost just once so far this season.
Both sides exchanged completed sets at the start of the game before a penalty gave the All Golds a repeat set and, on the last tackle, good passing sent James Boyles racing down the touchline. Just as he was tackled, he offloaded to Oli Inch who, in turn, offloaded to David Weetman to crash over the line. Callum Merrett added the extras for the perfect start.
Skirlaugh looked a little taken aback by this and thumped the restart out of play on the full conceding a penalty. However, the All Golds were unable to set Boyles free again as Merrett’s kick for the winger went out of play.
With ten minutes played, aided by a six-again, Skirlaugh established good field position and Tom Gray crossed for a well-worked try, which was too far out for Josh Smith to convert.
The game went from end to end for the next ten minutes until Skirlaugh swept the ball wide again and Ross Kemp went over for an unconverted try to give the home side an 8-6 lead.
Skirlaugh monopolised possession for the rest of the half but dogged Bristol defence kept them out until good work down the right created space for Josh Atkinson to touch down. This time Smith added the goal to extend the lead to 14-6.
There was no further scoring before half time, though Skirlaugh wasted a great chance to extend their lead. Kemp had a chance to double his tally but couldn’t put the ball down after crossing the line and was pushed out of the in-goal area by Boyles.
After the free-flowing first 40 minutes, the second half was a much more ragged affair with plenty of errors from both sides, but it was Skirlaugh who were able to keep the scoreboard moving particularly down their left wing where Mikey Turner had an excellent debut for his side.
Three minutes into the half he broke down the wing and sold an outrageous dummy to Merrett to score. Six minutes later, he set up a try for Gray and, on the hour mark, added his second following some good handling across the backline.
By that time, the All Golds had lost both wingers to injury and were managing their rotation of forwards who were feeling the effects of their defensive efforts and the strong sunshine.
Atkinson scored Skirlaugh’s seventh and final try just after the hour mark, but it was the All Golds who had the better of the final exchanges particularly after Skirlaugh’s Keegan Foster was sinbinned for an attempted trip on the rampaging Tega Rume-Tabiowo.
The All Golds had the last word on the scoreboard having created space on the left Inch’s inside pass went to ground. Luke Davies was unable to gather the loose ball, but Josh Fitzgerald was, and he touched down for the try. Merrett was unable to convert with the final kick of an entertaining game played in difficult conditions for which both teams should be congratulated.
After a free weekend to take stock, the Bristol All Golds return to action on 6 June with a home game against North Herts Crusaders at Lockleaze Sports Centre, kick off 2.30pm.
MatchStats
TEAMS
SKIRLAUGH: Josh Smith; Mikey Turner, Tom Gray, Mason Gore, Josh Atkinson; Kieran Smith, Alfie Walker; Keegan Foster, Keane Dearlove, Marcus Hall; Ross Kemp, Barnaby Fishwick; George Thompson. INTERCHANGE: Nathan Dunn, Scott Mountain, Harry Gotts, Jon Gay.
Scorers:
Tries: Gray (10, 49), Kemp (20), Atkinson (28, 63), Turner (43, 60).
Goals: J. Smith 4 from 7
ALL GOLDS: Callum Merrett (Capt.); Joe Capener, Oli Inch, Luke Davies, James Boyles; Jack Uren, Josh Fitzgerald; Eric Davidson, Adam Turner, Angus Parkin; Tega Rume-Tabiowo, Rob Davies; David Weetman. INTERCHANGE: Kieran Jackson, Harrison Clifford, Joe Macklin.
Scorers:
Tries: Weetman (5), Fitzgerald (74).
Goals: Merrett 1 from 2.
Scoring Sequence: 0-6, 4-6, 8-6, 14-6, (HT), 20-6, 26-6, 32-6, 36-6, 36-10, (FT)
Referee: Stephan Lund
Penalties: Skirlaugh 2-4 All Golds
Sin Bin: Foster (Skirlaugh) 69 – tripping
Thatchers Cider Bristol All Golds’ Player of the Match – All Golds’ second row Tega Rume-Tabiowo defended well and carried strongly, causing problems for the Skirlaugh defence every time he was in possession.