All Golds quell resilient visitors

Bristol All Golds 48 North Herts Crusaders 6

Report by Queen Anne’s Revenge

National League South

Venue: Lockleaze Sports Centre Bonnington Walk Bristol BS7 9XF

Weather: high winds, driving rain,cold.

This was an entertaining encounter from the outset with both sides adapting to the monsoon conditions admirably. The opening salvo came from the home side after seven minutes when Angus Parkin plunged over by the sticks. Merrett goaled.

The visitors penned the All Golds into their own quarter via some skilful deep kicks forcing goal line drop outs. However they couldn’t make headway against the Bristol defence. The pendulum swung back in favour of the All Golds when a delightful exchange of passes between Liam McGrath and Callum Merrett saw the latter storm along the touchline from 70 metres to touch down in the corner. Millward was not able to add on the extras. However after 30 minutes he placed a judicious kick to the opposite corner which was fumbled by the Crusaders’ defence. Young Welsh centre Lewis Harris pounced and Bristol led 14 – 0.

North Herts continued to apply themselves in a fashion that would have pleased head coach Joe Mbu. Oscar Robinson and Max Steinbach were in the vanguard whilst man of the match Bofenda was a constant threat with his dancing feet.

Rugby League is a sport made for wow moments and one such was about to unfold: powerful Bristol winger Jack Hunter received the ball deep inside his own half and proceeded to cut a swathe through the Crusaders defence on a magnificent long range dash to the try line. It was capped off with a sensational hand off and dive which ‘brought the house down’. The conversion went astray but the All Golds appeared to be in a comfortable position at 18 – 0, that was until Hunter received 10 minutes in the bin for what the excellent referee thought was a dangerous tackle.

The wonderful warhorse Lamont Bryan spotted the disarray in the Bristol defence and crashed over for a well deserved North Herts’ 4 pointer. Indeed the Jamaica international and former All Gold was an inspiration to his team throughout the game. Oliver Adams quite remarkably tacked on the extra 2 as he judged the swirling wind and rain to perfection.

The final telling moment of the half fell to Bristol as swashbuckling Kieran Jackson brushed off would be tacklers to score his first try in All Golds ’ colours. Merrett’s kick hit the upright and the All Golds led 22 – 6 at the interval.

The second stanza followed a similar pattern with North Herts displaying tenacity and endeavour but it was Bristol who furnished the finesse and polish. Within 2 minutes of the resumption a mazy Merrett run was finished off by McGrath. Merrett goaled. 28 – 6. 15 minutes later Merrett provided a delightful chip kick over the defence for McGrath to gather to scorch in from 40 metres. Millward duly converted.

Not to be outdone the All Golds ’ opposite winger Jack Hunter stylishly finished off a well executed backline move straight from a scrum.

The All Golds were now easing away to a comfortable triumph as McGrath completed his trio of tries in a replica of his second: Merrett chip, McGrath chase.

The dying embers of an attractive National League South fixture produced a final Bristol score for the ever impressive Angus Parkin as he completed his brace. Merrett goaled and the concluding score stood at 48 – 6.

Teams:

Bristol All Golds –
Cumming; Hunter,Davies,Harris,McGrath; Millward,Merrett; Davidson,Turner,Parkin; Jackson,Smith (D); Uren. Short,Davies,Lewis, Chatham.

(D)  – denotes debut.

North Herts Crusaders –
Derry, McCann,Scofield,Jones,Dell, Adams,Bryan,Bonfield,Bloom,Knibbs, Steinbach,Robinson,Nash,Bofenda,ANOther,SOElse.

Bristol All Golds:

Tries – McGrath 3, Hunter 2, Parkin 2, Harris, Jackson,Merrett.

Goals – Merrett 3, Millward 1.

North Herts Crusaders:

Try – Bryan.

Goal – Adams.

Man of the Match:

All Golds – Liam McGrath.

Crusaders – David Bofenda.

Scoring Sequence:

6-0,10-0,14-0,18-0,18-6,22-6,H/T,28-6,34-6,38-6,42-6,48-6.

Penalties:

All Golds – 3 ; Crusaders – 8.

Match Official: Obi Ijeoma.