GLOUCESTERSHIRE ALL GOLDS 33 SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS 18

By Ian Golden at Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham

 

South Wales Scorpions will rue a poor first 20 minutes in their final game in this guise as they went down 33-18 to local rivals Gloucestershire All Golds.

 

The Welsh side made a fight of it in the second half but a last ditch effort from the All Golds put the seal on their victory.

 

An error let All Golds in for the first try. The already greasy ball slipped the defence and Jack Mitchell pounced. Keiran Hyde converted.

 

Scorpions were close to getting a try back but the kick from Courtney Davies was too far for Paul Emanuelli to leap onto.

 

All Golds extended their lead on 20 minutes after Steve Parry, who had scored in the first Scorpions’ game, dived over from dummy half. Hyde easily converted to make it 12-0.

 

The third try came seven minutes later after James Rowland opened up a gap for James Walter who went in under the sticks. Hyde easily kicked the third goal.

 

Scorpions hit back on 32 minutes after a good set of six, Osian Phillips forced his way over. Paul Emanuelli converted.

 

Another poor defensive lapse let All Golds in for their fourth try early in the second half and it was eventually Rowland who touched down with Hyde converting.

 

But Scorpions hit back straight away. A good passing move led to Ian Newbury scoring in the corner. Emanuelli brilliantly converted. 24-12.

 

Both sides were reduced to 12 men, when following a fight, Mark Govin and Connor Farrer saw red. The penalty was given to Scorpions and from that, Izaak Duffy scored under the sticks and Emanuelli converted.

 

Rowland kicked a drop-goal with 12 minutes remaining to give them a 25-18 lead, Phil Cowburn then ran in their fifth try to increase the advantage further before a late try for Josh Allison sealed things.

 

South Wales Scorpions will now play under the South Wales Ironmen banner from 2017.

 

ALL GOLDS

1 Keiran Hyde

2 Mo Agoro

3 Josh Allison

4 Phil Cowburn

5 Kadeem Williams

6 Jack Mitchell

7 James Rowland

8 Ollie Purslow

9 Steve Parry

10 Harrison Elliott

11 Emmerson Whittel

12 Joe McLean

13 Lamont Bryan

Subs:

14 Mark Govin

15 Richard Jones

16 James Walter

17 Harry Kidd

 

Tries: Mitchell (5), Parry (20), Walter (27), Rowland (46), Cowburn (71), Allison (80)

Goals: Hyde 4/6

Field-goal: Rowland (68)

 

SCORPIONS

15 Jordan Sheridan

2 Ian Newbury

3 Kyle Scrivens

21 Scott Gregory

1 Rhys Gant

27 Courtney Davies

7 Paul Emanuelli

14 Osian Phillips

9 Connor Farrer

10 Izaak Duffy

25 Sion Jones

22 Christiaan Roets

13 Chris Vitalini

SUBS

19 Kristian Baller

20 Anthony Symons

23 Barrie Phillips

24 Zak Williams

 

Tries: Phillips (32), Newbury (49), Duffy (58)

Goals: Emanuelli 3/3

 

Referee: Brandon Robinson

Half-time: 18-6