Griffins continue their 100% unbeaten run this season.
On a cold January day we welcomed the Derby bucks down to continue our growing friendship with them. As agreed prior to the game, the match would be split into 4 quarters of 20 minutes, meaning DoR Rich Steward could tinker his 29 man squad to look at players out of position and to check on flexibility of the ever growing squad. Included in this squad was new lad Jay making his debut and feeling like a new player was Reece Joyner who has been out for over a year with a knee injury.
With Derby unable to bring a full 15 and a couple of early injuries meant the Griffins gave them up to 6 players per quarter. The first quarter was a typical tight affair with both teams sizing the other up with two very good defence and stand out tackles from Derby number 10 Mikey Hawks (who seemed like he had his 3 identical brothers playing, all of which have 10 cans of energy drink) and on loan number 7 Peter De Klein who was his impressive self as normal. A few handling errors cost the Longlevens outfit 2 tries in the first 20 after some very strong runs from Brown, Shaw and Daley at the end of the quarter the red of Gloucester broke the deadlock with powerful caries from the pack and as usual the backs getting the glory courtesy of scrum half Jez Wilson.
The second quarter was a different affair with the Griffins ringing the changes with prolific results the boys were a lot more clinical with their chances scoring 3 times in 20 minutes and going in at half time 24-0. A Strong running from back line of Wilson, Fisher, Rankinwoodhouse, Shaw, Brown, Davies and Daley proved too strong for the Derby despite some fantastic tackling from on loan Griffins Yorke, Fountain and Marshall.
A good breather did Derby wonders and they came back at the Griffins with a vengeance. With a new 10, 12, 13 grouping of Daley, Steward and O’Loughlin helping the fired up black of Derby, Managed to score 3 unanswered tries. Two of which came from Gloucester boys Jervis and Daley. Some great partnership work from 10 , 12 and 15 made them gain some serious yardage. When the whistle went at the end of quarter Derby were right back in the game 24-17.
The 4th and final quarter was a complete role reverse and sew the boys in red fired up to say the least with good quarter performances from Fortey, Neil and Cowley steadying up the creaking ruck. The boys managed to pull together a strong performance to run out 46-17 winners.
Also big shout outs to Ponting, Pegler and Price who were solid throughout and a big shout to vice captain Dave Franciss who kept his cool despite being wound up all game by his direct opponent Ben Vickers.
A great game of rugby played in fantastic spirits and we look forward to catching up again at the Imart world tournament in Ireland later in the year.
Try scorers.
Daniels 3, Fish, Wilson, Rankinwoodhouse, Daley and Shaw.
MoM Shane Dailey
DoD Laurence Warring for revelling most of his body during a ruck.
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