Old Cents off to Bonus point win in opening League fixture

Old Cents make a fine start to the season with a convincing win over a battling Gordon league side

Score Old Cents 38-0 Gordon League.

Old Cents started the new season with a bang as young Liam Hemming scored a great try after seven minutes of the new league campaign.The youngster showed great pace in finishing off a move started well in the home sides 22 and the try was converted by Craig Anderson.
The home side dominated the early exchanges but it was the League who dominated most of the half through their driving forward play and with Old Cents giving away numerous penalties the away side had plenty of possession and territorial advantage.
However, despite having most of the ball and territory the League never looked like scoring a try because the home sides defence was superb and Old Cents looked very dangerous when they tried to break out.
Old Cents did increase their lead well into stoppage time when Craig Anderson kicked a long range penalty just as the home side were starting to get some good ball of their own.
Half time score was 10-0 to the home side and if some early missed chances had been taken then the outcome of the half would have been entirely different because two or three certain tries were missed.
The complexion of the match changed completely straight from the kick off when Old Cents scored a glorious try started right from their own line.
Old Cents ran the kick off straight back at the League who were not prepared for the response and young George Preece finished of the attack in style after the ball was moved through numerous pairs of hands.Craig converted well from near the touch line and Old Cents now had a breathing space with the score at 17-0 to the home side.
Old Cents now had the upper hand and with the penalty count greatly reduced the home side now had more of the ball in their hands which they used to release their speedy backs to put the League side under great pressure.
The League had no answer to the home sides pace and only last ditch great defence by them kept the score down.However the home side scored three more tries to ensure the bonus point win and they were scored by Rob Pinkney,Capt Pete Willetts and Dave Knight on his return to the club from Cinderford.
All the tries were converted by Craig Anderson who had a fine afternoon with the boot.
This was a great start to the season for the home club and Old Cents went well in all aspects of the their game except for the scrummage where they were put under pressure by an experienced League front row.In saying that they were under pressure the Old Cents young front row stuck at their task and did not give in.
Old Cents looked very sharp and fast in the backs and the home sides defence was top class as they drove the league back in the tackle and never gave the away side a hint of scoring a try despite having a fair amount of ball.
The Vice Presidents named Liam Hemming as the man of the match and Dave Knight also shone both in attack and defence where he used his great experience to great effect.Also Dan Lane had a fine match on his return to the club after a season away.
Old Cents now look forward to a hard match at newly promoted Bristol Harlequins next week and in the past the home side have have mixed results against the Quins.