NO REPEAT COMEBACK FOR ALL GOLDS AS RHINOS HOLD ON
Christopher Wilson at Lockleaze Sports Centre
BRISTOL ALL GOLDS 22 – 28 EASTERN RHINOS
There was to be no repeat of last week’s 20-point recovery by the Bristol All Golds, as a late try ensured the Eastern Rhinos took the points after a breathless second half at Lockleaze.
The All Golds trailed 20-0 early in the second half but pulled the score back to 22-24 with ten minutes remaining. However, the Rhinos had the composure to get the winning try with only a few minutes left on the clock.
In conditions remarkably similar to last week’s sunshine and strong breeze, the Rhinos, fielding a side that had 12 players who had come through their junior system, were soon in front.
The All Golds failed to deal with a wickedly bouncing kick-off and conceded the first of four goal line dropouts the Rhinos forced in the first half. Immediately, the Rhinos took the lead with Morgan McGivney going over in the corner.
Will Randall missed the goal but set up a chance from the restart with a long break, but McGivney was penalised for a double movement as he touched down.
The visitors were dominating play and McGivney crossed for his second try after 13 minutes, Randall this time adding the extras from wide out.
The Rhinos were dominating possession and territory with the All Golds barely having possession in the visitors’ half never mind close to the line and the only surprise was that it took until the half hour mark for the Rhinos to score again.
Back-to-back penalties ended with Harry Evans diving over. Ben Ratcliffe was unable to add the extras and the visitors led 14-0.
Finally, the All Golds began to put some decent possession together with David Weetman organising things well from halfback and the forwards running hard, but they still were unable to threaten the Rhinos line up to half time.
The second half began as the first half had done with the Rhinos scoring through Mofe Abidekun’s powerful charge through the heart of the All Golds ineffective rearguard from fully 40 metres out.
The All Golds finally woke up and began to put a bit more intensity and structure to their play. Weetman crashed over after the home side were gifted possession in Rhinos’ territory and added the goal for good measure.
However, that was cancelled out ten minutes later by Charlie Randall who showed good strength to force his way over despite the attentions of three All Golds defenders.
Trailing by 18 points, the question was whether last week’s history would repeat itself and the All Golds would conjure victory from the very jaws of defeat again.
After forcing an error to regain possession, Weetman twisted out of a tackle to score and again add the extras. On their next possession, an excellent kick chase by the All Golds forced the Rhinos into touch but Liam McGrath couldn’t reel in Weetman’s kick to the corner and the chance went begging
However, an audacious ball steal in the tackle by Adam Turner regained possession for the home side and Lewis Harris went over out wide, Weetman adding the goal to cut the deficit to just a converted try.
McGrath then produced a superb try-saving tackle on McGivney in the corner and immediately, the All Golds countered with Jermarie Chatham racing 60 metres down the touchline for a spectacular try in the corner. Weetman’s attempt to tie the scores slid agonisingly across the face of the posts.
That score set up a tense last few minutes with the Rhinos leading 24-22.
However, the Rhinos fashioned a chance to seal the game a few minutes later and took it with Bayley Massink showing strength and determination to reach out and touch down despite being held by the desperate All Golds defence.
Randall’s conversion attempt was off target so the All Golds knew they could snatch a draw with a converted try of their own.
The Rhinos lost possession immediately on the restart and the all Golds earned a six-again to maintain the pressure, however over-eagerness to promote the ball saw an error and the Rhinos could celebrate a victory that keeps their top four hopes alive.
For the All Golds, lightning couldn’t strike twice but they have to better their starts to games if they are not to be chasing results each week. Next Saturday’s opponents, Wests Warriors, will not allow a lead to slip and the Bristolians need to be ready to play from minute one.
MatchStats
ALL GOLDS: Jermarie Chatham; Liam McGrath, Lewis Harris, Leon Atherton, Alex Onyeahasi; Jack Uren (Capt.), David Weetman; Luis Rowe, Adam Turner, Rob Davies; Jamie Jenkins, Dan Short; Tega Rune-Tabiowo. INTERCHANGE: Mike Ward, Brandon Ball, Jay Woodley, Ben Neave.
Scorers:
Tries: Weetman (44, 60), Harris (66), Chatham (73)
Goals: Weetman 3 from 4.
RHINOS: Jed Kneeshaw; Alf Lowrie, Bayley Massink, Charles Randall, Morgan McGivney; Chris Kerkow (Capt.), Ben Ratcliffe; Henry Mason, Matt Tootill, Charlie Key; Mofe Abidekun, Cruize Bannister; Will Randall. INTERCHANGE: Jack Evans, Harry Evans, Ethan Johnson, Rob Williams.
Scorers:
Tries: McGivney (2, 13), H. Evans (28), Abidekun (42), Randall (55), Massink (76)
Goals: Randall 2 from 5, Ratcliffe 0 from 1.
Scoring Sequence: 0-4, 0-10, 0-14, (HT), 0-20, 6-20, 6-24, 12-24, 18-24, 22-24, 22-28, (FT)
Referee: Peter Parker
Penalties: All Golds 8-8 Rhinos
Sin Bin:
Sent Off:
Thatchers Cider Bristol All Golds’ Player of the Match – All Golds’ loose forward Tega Rume-Tabiowo’s powerful running and solid defence earns him the Award this week. He was always a handful for the Rhinos’ defence and a threat in attack even when trying a chip over the top, which sadly didn’t come off for him and his team.