WARRIORS MISS OUT ON GLORY AT 9s

By Chris Wilson

Despite improving throughout the tournament, the Warriors were unable to escape their Pool at the West of England 9s.

After a late change, the Warriors found themselves in a pool containing the Southampton Spitfires, Bath Romans and the Oxford Cavaliers.

The Warriors started well with two quick tries in their opening game with the Spitfires. Sam Conway got the first and Ash Lewis the second but the Spitfires hit back and trailed only 12-10 at the interval.

The sides exchanged tries during the second period, Lewis crossing before the Spitfires scored themselves but it wasn’t quite enough.

In their second match, the Bath Romans always had the upper hand after scoring early on. Hector Silva levelled the scores with a try but the Romans led 12-6 at the interval.

Kirk Lewis levelled the scores but back to back tries from the Romans gave them a ten point advantage.

James Allen crossed but the score was cancelled out and the Romans ran out 28-18 victors.

After a long break, the Warriors were drawn in the final game of the pool stage and knew they had to beat the Cavaliers to go through to the semi-finals. However, it was not to be as the Cavaliers were always in control after leading 18-0 at the change of ends.

Ash Lewis pulled a score back which was followed by a try from James Allen as the Warriors breached the previously impregnable Cavaliers’ rearguard but the Cavaliers struck the killer blow with a try and Ash Lewis’ second touchdown of the game was too late to send them through.

The tournament finished on a bright note for the Warriors as they defeated a Bristol Sonics side 34-16 in a challenge game prior to the Final. Conway, Ash Lewis, Sean Roberts and Charlie Gaulder scored tries as did two guest players in an entertaining match.

The Final was won by Oxford Cavaliers who defeated defending champions Cheltenham Phoenix 18-12 in a tense game that hinged on a Phoenix mistake when they lost the ball in the ingoal when a try was a formality.

The score then was 12-12 and the only score of the second half was a Cavaliers try that gave them the trophy.

WARRIORS: James Allen, Paul Bolger, Ben Brinkworth (Capt), Sam Conway, Charlie Gaulder, Harry Gaulder, Rob Hazeldine, Ashley Lewis, Kirk Lewis, alex mahoney, Sean Roberts, Hector Silva, Jake Thompson.