Grove RFC 2nd XV vs Gosford All Blacks 2nd XV

Counties 4 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North

Grove welcomed Gosford All Black II to Cane Lane. The first game of our campaign for 23/24, after a good pre season Grove were in a positive mind set.

A perfect day for rugby and with both Grove teams playing at home the club house had a good buzz. However Grove were behind soon after the start, with poor discipline which was so frustrating but there was a hard talk from the captain after the second penalty. Grove then settled in and started to run with the ball. 20 minutes in a well worked ball out to the wing allowed A. Straw to cross the line and score. Then 10 minutes later after another hard hitting took place which gave W. Ball the change to score under the post, with a conversation gave Grove a 12-6 lead at halftime.

The second half started off well but 8 minutes into it discipline crept back in and after a high tackle Grove were down to 14 men with Winger T. Harrington in the bin for 10 minutes. Grove however pulled together and covered the gap really well and then made the space which allowed W. Ball to score his second try to converted by J. Slatter, bring the score to 19-6.

Then with just under 20 minutes remaining Grove started to bring on the subs. With fresh legs on the field and a change in the front row Grove took full control. With O. Clayton and shortly after J. Burton both scoring and J. Slatter converting. Then with 30 seconds left on the clock and scrum was given on GAB’s 10 meter line, a big drive and fast hands allowed A. McCarthy to cross in the corner.

A solid team effort and well deserved win.

Tries
W. Ball. X2
A. Straw 1
O. Clayton 1
J. Burton 1
A. McCarthy 1

Conversations
J. Slatter x3

Grove 36-6 Gosford All Blacks