CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE MIDLANDS PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 30 May 2009
TELFORD RAIDERS 16 – 28 GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS
On a boiling hot day, the Warriors and the Telford Raiders served up a tough, uncompromising game of rugby league played at a frenetic pace that enthralled an enthusiastic crowd at Telford Hornets. However, the Warriors survived their trial and thanks to a gritty defensive display and two tries from loose forward Matt Hurdle they maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
With defences thundering in, errors were frequent in the opening stages and neither side could make the most of their possession until Jimmy Comber showed great strength and determination to force his way over for the game’s opening try after seven minutes. Tom Bozzard converted.
The Warriors were looking the more dangerous side in attack and five minutes later, Ross Gard and Ronnie Haines combined in a sweeping move that ended with a Warriors penalty. From the tap, Alex Smith drove over for the Warriors’ second try again converted by Bozzard.
The Raiders hit back and the Warriors survived some concerted pressure on their own line. Their discipline faltered and after conceding a rash of penalties, the visitors saw Neys Schreiner sinbinned. Despite this, the Warriors looked to be going in to half time with a clean sheet but Bozzard’s attacking kick ahead was gathered by Paul Szehofner who found a gap in the chase and escaped to score under the posts making Steffan Hildreth’s conversion a formality.
The Raiders maintained the momentum after the break and Parminder Tutt levelled matters with a good try straight from a scrum awarded after the Warriors had fumbled an awkward kick from Pete Jones.
The game was very much in the melting pot and the next score would be crucial. Both sides had chances but the defensive intensity was maintained and neither could make the breakthrough.
However, on the hour mark, the Warriors struck twice to give themselves the advantage. From a tap penalty close to the Raiders’ line, Hurdle cut back inside to crash through the defence and score. Ben Hough converted.
Five minutes later, Hurdle broke a tired tackle in midfield and beat the fullback to score his second try under the posts. Hough converted again to put two scores between the sides at 24-12.
Tutt gave the Raiders hope with a classy try out wide that went unconverted shortly afterwards but Hough came into the game and created a great chance that went begging. A long kick downfield on the third tackle caught out the defence and Hough was first to the bouncing ball, he passed to the supporting Ben Broady but his pass to Haines went to ground.
Minutes later, Hough sealed the game, stepping through some static defenders to score a try that kept the Warriors on top of the table.
TELFORD RAIDERS: Michael Stanton, Paul Szehofner, Steffan Hildreth, David Samuels, David Withers, Parminder Tutt, Ryan Evans, Andy Savill, Matthew Breese, Adam Corbett, Chris Tinsley, Adrian Payne, Pete Jones. Replacements: Matt Evans, Mike Venn, Jamie Bates, Ryan Armel.
Scorers: Tries; Paul Szehofner (37), Parminder Tutt (47, 65). Conversions; Steffan Hildreth 2 from 3.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS: Matt Elston, Ed Stallard, Ronnie Haines (Capt.), Ben Broady, Ross Gard, Tom Bozzard, Ben Hough, Alex Smith, Neys Schreiner, Sonnie Williams, Simon Taylor, James Comber, Matt Hurdle. Replacements: Pat Howson, Dan Garbutt.
Scorers: Tries; James Comber (7), Alex Smith (12), Matt Hurdle (54, 60), Ben Hough (78). Conversions; Tom Bozzard 2 from 2, Ben Hough 2 from 3.
Referee: Tim Fellows (South Yorkshire RLRS)
Man of the Match: Raiders: Paul Szehofner, Warriors: Matt Hurdle
Penalties: Raiders 13, Warriors 12.
Scoring sequence: 0-6, 0-12, 6-12, (HT), 12-12, 12-18, 12-24, 16-24, 16-28, (FT).
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Chris Wilson
Media Manager, Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC
Tel: +44 (0)1684 850903
Mobile: + 44 (0)7905 931033
Email: gloswarriors2004@aol.com
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The Gloucestershire Rugby League is an organisation for local rugby league clubs in Gloucestershire. Our main activity currently is to promote rugby league through the County and give useful information about our sport to the public of Gloucestershire.
