Shoots Undone By Bandits In Second Half

Despite the local proximity this was a first meeting between the 2 sides so neither outfit really knew what to expect.

Shoots started brightly taking the game to Bandits and monopolised possession in the early exchanges and were only kept at bay by a well organised defence. However, when Bandits won a crucial turnover, the ball was moved quickly to their right wing who ran in from half way albeit against the run of play.

At 7-0 this was still very much an even contest and Shoots continued to both attack and defend manfully with both centre Josh Fenn and flanker Josh Spanyol to the fore but couldn’t find the breakthrough until the last play of the half when fly half Rory Mitchell slotted 3 points for a high tackle on scrum half Daniel Neznayko. HT 7-3.

Shoots made a number of changes at the interval as did Bandits but tactically it didn’t work out as the defence in particular lost its shape, which the Bandits diminutive and highly elusive fly half wasted no time in exploiting. Twice in quick succession he danced through the Shoots line when at the same time Bandits pack were also getting the better of the contest at the breakdown. By the hour mark Bandits had added 4 more tries and the score stood at 31-3.

In the final quarter Shoots rallied and twice came close to scoring a deserved consolation try but were still to be denied by some solid home defending. In a bid to add to the solitary 1st half penalty goal the Shoots defence was also again twice breached in the warm September conditions as Bandits closed the game out. FT 43-3.

In spite of the final score line this was a useful exercise with plenty of positives to take away especially in the 1st half. All involved got some meaningful game time against very accomplished opposition.

Thanks also go to Phil ‘Jaco Peyper’ Amato for stepping in to referee at the last minute.

Next Saturday Shoots take on Gravesend Gannets at home in another friendly. KO 3pm.