With Hucclecote having no game, “Badger Tump” home of Brockworth RFC seemed an ideal destination for a Gloucester one local derby. With Richians having already wrapped up the title and wanting to see the league season out unbeaten and Brockworth, with a very slim hope of a runners up spot this was always going to be a tight affair. Overnight rain and early morning snow made the surface quite heavy and a few spots of surface water lay on top but with the sun out for kick off and a large crowd in attendance, helped by the invasion of half of Hucclcote, you should have seen the look on Pete “Churchil, Oh Yes, Yes, Yes” Cousins’ face, the stage was set for an interesting afternoon.
Brockworth had the wind at their backs for the first period and played towards the club house. Both sets of players took time to master the conditions but the visitors with a powerful number eight and a strong pack looked to keep the ball tight hoping to break down the home sides defence and when the ball was moved, in the centre was former Gloucester star Terry Fanolua ready to rattle the Brockwoth threes. Richians were first on the score sheet with a converted try but it wasn’t long before the Badgers were camped in the visitors twenty five, roared on by the home support, especially Rich “Tannoy” Tanner who just happened to be stood in reaching distance of “yours truly”, a certain try looked on, but the final pass went astray and the visitors cleared the danger. Brock’ sensed the chance of a score and after more prolonged pressure in the same corner they were finally rewarded with a try from the forwards that went unconverted. No more scores were added by either side to leaves things nicely poised at 7-5 to the visitors.
No tries were scored by either side in the second spell and the final outcome was settled by penalty goals. Richians kicked three and Brockworth only managed the one. For the Badgers the back row looked pretty strong with Alfie Burns and Stu Hendry prominent and live wire scrum half Alex Fisher keeping his outside half Gorge Gladding with a constant supply of good ball. For the visitors Jack Petelo at eight was a constant threat, as was nine, Ryan Garret but overall Richians deserved the victory but the home side certainly came close to “upsetting the apple cart” and ending the visitors unbeaten league season.
This Saturday, the last week of the regular league season, I’m off to Chosen Hill who welcome Stroud to Brookfield Road in a Western Counties North fixture. With neither side in relegation or promotion issues and the home side’s players re union on the agenda, this has all the omens of an entertaining afternoon, plus I’ve had the call from Ian Yates, very successful financial adviser, and he’s sponsoring the game with some of his investments that have now “beard fruit”. Best book a taxi!!!!!!!!!. Cheers Dave