Leicester Storm travelled to the far reaches of the West Country to take on newly promoted Gloucester Warriors; the home side looking to show why they deserve to be amongst the elite of the midlands. But Storm were not in a charitable mood and managed to run over 9 tries, in a clinical opening game display. The pick of the bunch come from Vice-Captain, Mahmood Saad (Moody to the Storm Faithful), who broke the line on his own 30 metre line and ran the length of the field; aggressively fending off the Gloucester full-back.

This was the second try of the afternoon, after hat-trick hero; Simon Anniss went over from close range. Tom Knott and Liam Barnes made barnstorming runs down the Warriors hearts but it was Anniss who made the telling run, darting from half back and squeezing over, typical fashion.

Gloucester, to their credit, sustained a period of pressure mid-way through the second half; capitalising on some elementary Storm mistakes. Matt Williams going over under the posts for the home side, after running through a gaping hole in the Storm defence. Fired up after the awful defensive set The Storm struck back, Captain Anniss, once again crossing the try line! Knott had kicked 2 out 3 conversions and put the away side 16-6 up at half time.

The second half saw a more clinical display from Leicester Storm, Saad grabbing his second of the game and Anniss completing his hat-trick. Saad could have had his hat-trick after again breaking through the Warriors defence but this time the full back managed to take down the rampaging forward. Loose forward, Tom Knott, was rewarded for his great performance with a try in the corner; his smashing runs had caused the home side problems all day and then off a white attacking field set, he ran in sixth try of the day. Josh Mclaurin got on the scoresheet as he powered over from a brilliant line off a Anniss pass; the travelling fans chanted “HAZZAR” after a punishing attacking set from the men in purple & blue.

Adam “Dirtbox” Jones scored on his Full League debut, the northern noise, threw a beautiful dummy too Barnes, and then crossed over from 20 metres out. The debutant did stand up and describe how good the try was, but nobody understood him! The wind had its part to play as well, The Storm kickers continued to miss, kicking into a heavy wind; ultimately not converting 12 extra points.

Josh Mclaurin, who was making his Full League debut, played a pivotal role in the final try of the afternoon, with two Gloucester players on his back he managed to release “the claw” and ball to Greg Harris, who out-paced the Warriors defence and his beautiful head of hair gracefully flew over the try line.

Debutants Josh Mclaurin, Tom Fletcher and Adam Jones all had strong games for Leicester Storm and the players coming back into the squad will struggle to take the shirts off their backs. There is no game next week for the Storm 1st Grade, with the Tour to Magaluf, but Storm Academy have their season opener against Northampton Demon’s A. There is a long standing rivalry between the two clubs and this is sure to be a physical game!

Team: Fullback: Jack Boothby – Wingers: Dan Linacre & Tom Fletcher – Centres: Greg Harris & Scott Castell – Half Backs: Ben Spokes & Adam Jones – Loose: Tom Knott – 2nd Rows: Josh Mclaurin & Liam Barnes – Forwards: Mahmood Saad & Josh Hull – Hooker: Simon Anniss (c)
Interchange: Dan Hay, Sandy Addison, Patrick Thomson & Ty Watson

Entropy Man of the Match: Mahmood “Moody” Saad – a phenomenal game from the powering inferno that was the Moody. The forward made well over 400 metres for Storm and bagged two tries. He must be the first player down on the coaches team sheet.

Toilet of the Day: Ben “ADHD” Spokes – the half back made a solid start for the 1st Grade at half-back but his Party Bus antics and new nickname surely gave him the title “Toilet of the Day”.