ALL GOLDS HOPES GO WEST IN SECOND HALF ONSLAUGHT
Christopher Wilson at Wasps FC
WESTS WARRIORS 50 – 12 BRISTOL ALL GOLDS
Bristol All Golds opened their 2026 National Conference Southern campaign as they did the previous year with a heavy defeat by last season’s runners-up Wests Warriors. However, the performance was a step up with the All Golds being a shade unlucky to trail 18-12 at the interval having come back from 12-0 down thanks to tries from Joe Capener and captain Callum Merrett, who added two goals.
Wests upped the ante in the second period, cut out the mistakes and the scoreboard duly ticked over at regular intervals as they crossed for half a dozen scores. The All Golds worked hard in defence and created a few half chances, but the Wests defence was solid despite playing the last ten minutes with a man in the sin-bin.
Bristol All Golds fielded nine players making their competitive debuts for the club and hopes of a first ever victory over Wests Warriors were raised by a superb first half performance as they clambered back from 12-0 down to level the scores with tries from Joe Capener and Callum Merrett, who added both goals. However, a try on the half-time whistle left Wests in front and they built on that lead throughout the second half, scoring six tries to ease to what was, in the end, a comfortable win.
Played in a strong, blustery wind the match began with both sides looking to find their rhythm as each had a number of new players to bed in. The All Golds took the ball up strongly with Oli Inch and Jacob Purcell prominent, but they lacked a real cutting edge near the line to make their good lead-up play count, while Wests’ play was uncharacteristically littered with basic errors.
The teams traded sets in a pleasing opening to the match as they probed for the first score, and Wests were the ones to get it. A scrum 30 metres out set up the position for full-back Jarome Yates to stroll through a big hole to score easily. Bailey Simpson added the first of his seven goals with six minutes on the clock.
Wests’ errors meant that they were unable to build consistent pressure on the All Golds’ line to add to their score. It was the All Golds who had the next chance as they built pressure, but Jamie Jenkins was held up just short of the line on the last tackle.
With a quarter of the game gone, Wests increased their lead after the All Golds conceded a penalty while in possession. Tamati Gribble’s mazy run saw him beat several defenders before bursting into the clear to go in under the posts for the first of a well-taken hat-trick of tries.
The All Golds responded after half an hour when Jack Uren intercepted a short pass to set up an attack. On the last tackle, Jahlem Small made a terrible hash of collecting Merrett’s kick to the corner and Capener picked up the loose ball to cross unopposed and improve the angle for Merrett’s conversion.
Five minutes later, Merrett ghosted into the Wests attacking line and picked off a pass to race 60 metres to the posts. He added the goal to level the scores but left the field with a hamstring injury and took no further part in the game.
Then the wind played its part as Harris misjudged the restart as the ball spun wickedly in the air, giving possession to Wests in good field position, They made good use of it as Matthew Ross went over Simpson adding the extras with the last kick of the half to give the home side an 18-12 lead.
The All Golds’ huddle was optimistic at the break that they could continue their good work, but Wests came out with greater intent, putting more speed in their play and it immediately worked.
They were a little lucky that the referee awarded a goal-line drop-out when Wests’ restart landed on the dead-ball line and they made the most of their good fortune with Jahlem Small crossing in the corner. Immediately afterwards, Gribble added to the lead with his second touchdown. Five minutes after that Lewis Aaron crossed and with Simpson adding a couple of goals, the score had suddenly blown out to 34-12 as the home side exploited some inexperience in the All Golds’ right edge defence.
Things calmed down a bit after that, both sides made errors as play became disjointed and scrappy. Jack Uren went close for the All Golds and Capener produced a good run after fielding a kick, but the scoreboard remained stationary until just past the hour mark as Tyler Johnson-Thomas went over on the right after the All Golds’ defence had been sucked into the centre of the field.
Simpson then produced a fizzing flat pass for Gribble to complete his hat-trick and converted despite the ball almost being blown back towards him before hitting the back of the crossbar and going over.
Wests were reduced to 12 men for the final nine minutes of the game as Aaron Small was sent to the sin-bin following a professional foul on Harris who had hacked on a loose ball before Small tackled him.
With six minutes left Jahlem Small broke free up the wing but a sensational chase and tackle from second row Rob Davies brought him down. Sadly, his efforts were in vain as Ball scored on the next play, Simpson adding the goal to bring up the half century.
The final few minutes were spent with the All Golds camped on Wests’ tryline, but they were unable to break through the 12-man wall with Uren and Eric Davidson being held up over the line in the same set of tackles.
There was plenty of food for thought for the All Golds coaches before Bedford Tigers come to Lockleaze on Sunday 19 April. They have the positives from the first half showing to work on and the players will have a chance to continue their teamwork development.
WARRIORS: Jarome Yates; Leighton Ball, Tamati Gribble, Lewis Aaron, Jahlem Small; Adam Vrahnos, Bailey Simpson; Justin Dennet, Neil Thorman, Judd Greenhalgh; Matthew Ross, Aaron Small; Liam O’Callaghan. INTERCHANGE:
Scorers:
Tries: Yates (6), Gribble (21, 46, 67), Ross (38), J. Small (43), Aaron (50), Johnson-Thomas (62), Ball (74)
Goals: Simpson 7 from 9.
ALL GOLDS: Adam Rusling; Jake Wragg, Lewis Harris, Oliver Inch, Joe Capener; Morgan Lewis, Callum Merrett; Angus Parkin, Jack Uren, Jacob Purcell; Jamie Jenkins, Rob Davies; David Weetman. INTERCHANGE:Kieran Jackson, Eric Davidson, Mason Apsee, Dan Short. 18th player: Harrison Clifford.
Scorers:
Tries: Capener (30), Merrett (36)
Goals: Merrett 2 from 2.
Scoring Sequence: 6-0,12-0, 12-6, 12-12, 18-12, (HT), 22-12, 28-12, 34-12, 38-12, 44-12, 50-12 (FT)
Referee: Christopher Lawson
Penalties: Warriors 7-3 All Golds
Sin Bin: A. Small (Warriors) (71) – professional foul.
Thatchers Cider All Golds Player of the Match was Welsh Student International Jacob Purcell who ran strongly and tackled hard throughout his debut for the club. He made a number of good carries taking his side forward and, on this showing, will be a huge asset for the club.