CLINICAL BLACKBROOK END ALL GOLDS CUP GLORY HOPES

Christopher Wilson at Lockleaze Sports Centre

BRISTOL ALL GOLDS 10 – 42 BLACKBROOK

The Bristol All Golds went down to a powerful Blackbrook side that started strongly, racking up five tries in the opening 25 minutes to establish a commanding lead at a warm and sunny Lockleaze and who were able to ease into the semi-finals of the inaugural 1973 Cup competition.

The All Golds crossed for tries either side of half time to kindle hopes of a dramatic comeback, but the visitors steadied and put the tie to bed with two tries in as many minutes towards the end of a contest that was tough but fair until the final moments when the referee was forced to dismiss one player from each side.

The 1973 Cup is a new competition this season and involves teams that lost in the first round of the National Cup. At the end of May, the All Golds came away empty handed after journeying to East Yorkshire to face Skirlaugh while ‘Brook were hammered 84-12 by Ince Rose Bridge of Wigan.

This weekend’s occasion was the second time that Blackbrook had visited Gloucestershire as, in 2006, they travelled to Gloucester to face the Gloucestershire Warriors in the Challenge Cup. On that occasion, they were 36-20 victors

Currently sitting fourth in the National Conference North West division with eight wins from their 14 games so far this season, Blackbrook headed south on the back of a 32-6 defeat at Crosfields last weekend, while the All Golds were earning a much-needed win over North Herts Crusaders.

The home side had the first use of the ball but made an error allowing the visitors to run through a couple of sets showing the pace and precision that their opponents would struggle to match all afternoon.

It soon brought dividends as a sweeping move created an overlap on the left and Jayme Johnson dived in spectacularly at the flag. Dan Moss, who had an excellent game at scrum half, couldn’t add the extras but was touching down moments later after two six-agains gave ‘Brook plenty of tackles and Moss supported stand-off Dan Ganson as he broke through the middle for a well-worked score.

Jacob Purcell then thought he had scored but the referee rightly disallowed the try for obstruction. ‘Brook’s next score was not long in coming. After Alex Onyeahasi dropped a high kick, Moss put second row Reece Jackson through an inviting gap to score.

Three minutes later, the visitors repeated the play for Jackson to get his second try, Johnson adding the goal for a 20-0 lead at around a point a minute.

Ten minutes later, a thunderous run from giant prop James Whalley scattered the home defence and Moss scampered over for his second try.

The All Golds had to respond or face an absolute thrashing, and they managed to, as Lewis Harris pinched an interception and had the pace to run over eighty metres downfield to the posts. Onyeahasi added the extras.

The All Golds then dominated the last ten minutes of the half as the visitors’ discipline deserted them and they conceded four penalties but managed to keep their line intact.

Half time came at a good moment for Blackbrook who were able to head for the dressing rooms to reset, while the All Golds hoped they could continue the momentum they had built.

However, at the start of the second half, Purcell was sin-binned after one high tackle too many for the referee’s liking but Blackbrook were unable to take advantage and conceded the next try.

A contentious knock-on decision gave the All Golds excellent field position and Jack Hunter showed great determination to force his way through three tacklers to score out wide. The kick was too difficult for Onyeahasi, but the All Golds were back in the game trailing 26-10.

Their hope didn’t last very long as, after Josh Langley had knocked on over the line following Moss’ kick to the in-goal, Johnson went over in the corner following a well-executed shift play.

 The All Golds battled to get back into the game, but despite having the better of the possession and with Blackbrook’s centre Stafford in the sin-bin, they just couldn’t find a way through the visitors’ well-organised defence.

 With ten minutes left, Blackbrook made the game safe with two quickfire tries. Jackson went over after a weaving run to complete his hat-trick before Moss did the same from a fine pass from Stafford just moments after he had returned to the field.

Johnson goaled both scores to extend Blackbrook’s lead to 42-10.

 The All Golds’ best moment came with five minutes left as a great move up the right wing was halted by a desperate tackle and then ended tamely by a knock-on at the play-the-ball.

 Sadly the game ended on a slightly sour note shortly afterwards as the referee brandished a red card to Blackbrook’s Jackson and the All Golds’ Dan Short for a fight which was more handbags than anything really malicious. 

Blackbrook move into the semi-finals while the All Golds can reflect on having taken on two heartland clubs and have not been found wanting in either encounter.

Reflecting further on the weekend’s activity, the All Golds can look back proudly on a day when they not only hosted a heartland club but also that the Under 14s defeated Cardiff Demons in a curtain raiser, the Golden Ferns defeated Brentwood Eels in their league encounter, and – arguably more auspicious for the club’s development – the Under 16s travelled to Wales to defeat the South Wales Jets and qualify for the Championship final next weekend.

Next Saturday (25 July), the All Golds are back at Lockleaze, this time to host the London Chargers. Fixtures between these two have usually been exciting affairs and with both hoping to secure a top four berth, it is likely to be a close-fought encounter.

MatchStats

 TEAMS

ALL GOLDS: Jack Hunter; Leon Atherton, Brandon Lamb, Lewis Harris, Alex Onyeahasi; Jack Uren (Capt.), David Weetman; Kieran Jackson, Adam Turner, Jacob Purcell; Jamie Jenkins, Oli Inch; Tega Rume-Tabiowo. INTERCHANGE: Eric Davidson, Ben Smith, Dan Short, Jay Woodley.

Scorers:

Tries: Harris (30), Hunter (49).

Goals: Onyeahasi 1 from 2.

BLACKBROOK: Josh Langley; Zak Mulcahy, Mike Wynn, Nathan Stafford, Jayme Johnson; Dan Ganson, Dan Moss; James Whalley, Paul Nash, Luke Marsh (Capt.); Luke Ward, Reece Jackson; Cam Tunstall. INTERCHANGE: Jordan McManus, Nathanael Sakyi, Joe Woods, Leon Taylor.

Scorers:

Tries: Johnson (4, 57), Moss (7, 25, 74), Jackson (14, 17, 70),

Goals: Moss 1 from 3, Johnson 4 from 5.

Scoring Sequence: 0-4, 0-10, 0-14, 0-20, 0-26, 6-26, (HT), 10-26, 10-30, 10-36, 10-42, (FT)

Referee: James Collins (RFL)

Penalties: All Golds 7-11 Blackbrook

Sin Bin: Purcell (All Golds) 44, high tackle; Stafford (Blackbrook) 63, foul play.

Sent off: Jackson (Blackbrook) 79, fighting; Short (All Golds) 79, fighting.

Thatchers Cider Bristol All Golds’ Player of the Match – All Golds’ Tega Rume-Tabiowo continues his great run of form with his third Thatchers Cider Player of the Match award in a row. His powerful running once more caused the opposition problems in defence and his potential for offloading created opportunities for his colleagues.