ALL GOLDS SHOW THEIR METTLE
Christopher Wilson at Bedford Athletic RFC
BEDFORD TIGERS 36 – 16 BRISTOL ALL GOLDS
A depleted Bristol All Golds side lacking a recognised halfback combination and a specialist kicker travelled to league leaders Bedford Tigers and put on a superb performance full of guts and determination and not an inconsiderable amount of heart in hot and stifling conditions.
The All Golds scored three tries and had a fourth disallowed as they produced a performance that will surely be often looked back upon during the second half of the season.
In the absence of Callum Merrett, Jack Uren was made captain and put in a towering performance, scoring a try, adding an assist and producing the workload of two men in defence.
Though the heatwave was beginning to break, conditions were difficult for spectators and players alike and the Tigers, who were flying high after defeating Wests Warriors a couple of weeks ago to top the table, immediately got on the front foot.
After four minutes they were denied a try as the referee ruled a knock-on on the line. However, they were soon in front, Jack Brown sending Euan Parke over out wide. The second-row cantered round to the posts to touch down giving Bailey Thomas an easy conversion.
Thomas was sadly off-form with the boot as he failed to convert all bar one of his next half dozen attempts at goal to mar an otherwise decent performance.
The All Golds almost hit back straight away as they blocked an attacking kick and had three sets of tackles on the home line. Tega Rume-Tabiowo crashed over under the posts, but the referee ruled there was an obstruction in the build-up and disallowed the score.
Following the welcome hydration break, the Tigers scored a nicely worked try with the ball being spread left and Rory Dingemans stepping inside to touch down. He was almost in again in the next set, but was recalled for a forward pass.
The All Golds then had their best period of the half with back-to-back sets and, after having a golden opportunity denied again by obstruction, Uren took off from dummy half ten metres out and forced his way over the line.
Rume-Tabiowo took on the kicking duties and added his first goal for the club from almost in front of the posts.
As the half drew to a close, the Tigers extended their lead through former All Gold George Murray before Parke added a second try, picking up a loose ball and cantering over.
Between those scores, the All Golds had an opportunity but, lacking a kicker, failed to find touch with a penalty, gifting possession back to the Tigers.
The teams sought shelter from the hot sunshine with the Tigers leading 18-6. The All Golds sought to reset and continue the excellent effort they had put in during the second period.
However, Lewis Swindells crossed just two minutes after the restart but fears of an All Golds collapse proved unfounded as the game was evenly contested; although the half was truncated by stoppages and never really picked up any momentum.
It was not until the final quarter that some coherent play emerged, beginning when prop Eric Davidson found himself in possession on the last tackle. He hoisted a huge bomb that the unfortunate Thomas dropped under no pressure.
The All Golds took full advantage straight from the scrum as Uren raced for the line before offloading for Rume-Tabiowo to score. Rume-Tabiowo added the goal for good measure to leave his side trailing 24-12.
However, in the final ten minutes, the Tigers ensured victory with two quickfire tries. Callum Dockerill got the first, just managing to touch down in the corner though Luke Davies was sinbinned for protesting too strongly that the Tigers’ man was in touch.
Making the most of the man advantage, the Tigers scored on their next set, Luke Wilson grounding a neat kick to the in-goal from Thomas.
The All Golds were not down and out as Rume-Tabiowo channelled his inner Merrett and dabbed a short kick-off forward to regather possession. Two tackles later Jamie Jenkins forced his way over for an unconverted score.
With the final action of the game, Ed Holland crashed over and Josh Spearing took over the kicking duties only to fluff his attempt leaving the try unconverted.
The All Golds next face the not inconsiderable test of the reigning champions Hammersmith Hills Hoists, who visit Lockleaze on Saturday (4 July) and will need all of the grit, determination, and heart shown in Bedford to deliver a challenge to the Hoists.
MatchStats
TEAMS
TIGERS: Tom Bailey; Callum Dockerill, Ed Holland, Luke Wilson, Rory Dingemans; Jack Brown, Josh Spearing; Ed Brown, Jake Tilford (Capt.), Simone Elrick; Euan Parke, George Murray; Henry Higginson. INTERCHANGE: James Little, Lewis Swindells, Jack Hill, Garin Nicholls.
Scorers:
Tries: Parke (7, 35), Dingemans (16), Murray (30), Swindells (42), Dockerill (69), Wilson (73), Holland (79).
Goals: Thomas 2 from 7, Spearing 0 from 1.
ALL GOLDS: Jermarie Chatham; Jack Hunter, Luke Davies, Louis Birch, Lewis Harris; Oli Inch, Tega Rume-Tabiowo; Eric Davidson, Jack Uren (Capt.), Angus Parkin; Dan Short, Jamie Jenkins; Jacob Purcell. INTERCHANGE: Rob Davies, Jay Woodley.
Scorers:
Tries: Uren (26), Rume-Tabiowo (61), Jenkins (77).
Goals: Rume-Tabiowo 2 from 3.
Scoring Sequence: 6-0, 10-0, 10-6, 14-6, 18-6, (HT), 24-6, 24-12, 28-12, 32-12, 32-16, 36-16, (FT)
Referee: Peter Parker (RFL)
Penalties: Tigers 4-4 All Golds
Sin Bin: L. Davies (All Golds) 69 – dissent
Thatchers Cider Bristol All Golds’ Player of the Match – All Golds’ hooker Jack Uren played a captain’s role in his side’s fine performance. He scored a crucial try that pegged the home side back in the first half and then provided the assist for Tega Rume-Tabiowo’s score midway through the second half. Defensively, he was strong and thoroughly deserves the award.