By Frank Stormont
April 11 2007

 

Bristol United 10 Warriors 20

19th March 07

 

Warriors travel to Bristol for a rescheduled fixture and with a wish to revenge the narrow loss earlier in the season.

Warriors have the advantage of the strong wind behind them in the first half. the rest of the conditions were good for rugby with a dry firm pitch. Warriors were limited with their availability with the local varsity match taking place at Brickfields and the fixture against the Navy due in just two days time.

Bristol who had only been beaten twice so far this season came out strong and put the first points on the board within 7 minutes. With the centres breaking through to score an converted try. 7 - 0

On 23 minutes Sila Va'Enuku gathered the ball on the half way line before chipping the ball over the Bristol shallow defence before gathering and taking the ball  to score under the posts. Dave Delaney picks up the extras. 7 - 7.

With two penalties converted on the 30th and 40th minutes the Warriors go into the turn around 7 - 13.

Andy Williams and Fraser Clilverd replaced James Tichias and Harry Spencer at half time. 

With second half played in the forwards and was dominated by the Warriors keeping the ball in their half for three quarters of the half. 

Ben Gulliver made his first appearance on 54 minutes since he broke his ankle in training last year. Shortly after on one their rear appearances in the Warriors half United closed the gap with a penalty. 10 - 13.

22 minutes into the second half an after two penalties awarded against United the ref had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which Dave Delaney had no problems in converting.

Whilst Bristol were happy to play down the defeat they had something like 13 contracted players in the squad and 6 or 7 players with first team experience.

Bristol were forced to add Plymouth to Wasps and Quins as the three sides to defeat them this season.

Warriors should be proud of their performance on the breezy Monday evening.

 

Team: Jon Fabian, Rob Boles, Arran Cruickshanks, Will Gingwell, Sila Va'Enuku, David Delaney, Matt Newman, Gareth Evans, James Owen, James Tichias, Harry Spencer, Dan Smith, Brett Stroud, Ben Rowntree, Jake Childs Replacements: Adam Gingwell(used), Andy Williams(used), Frazer Clilverd(used), Ben Gulliver(used), Ben Sangchi(used), Graham Dawe

Scorers :- Tries Sila Va'Enuku, Penalty Try Penalties 2xDavid Delaney Conversions 2xDavid Delaney